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By Jenni Fink and Dan Gooding
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A migrant from Mexico has been arrested in connection with Saturday's shooting that targeted Border Patrol agents in Chicago, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Shots were fired at federal agents while they were conducting immigration enforcement operations on Saturday in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. At the time of the shooting, DHS said an unknown male driving a black Jeep fired shots at agents and then fled. After officers responded to a shots fired call, an officer who had been called to the intersection for crowd control was struck by a vehicle
DHS posted on X on Monday that the suspect was taken into custody was previously convicted of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/vehicle, felony possession of a weapon and illegal entry.
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Newsweek reached out to DHS for more information on the suspect Monday afternoon via email.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement in Chicago through Operation Midway Blitz, which started in early September and seeks to target individuals in the country without legal status who have criminal records or pending charges. More than 1,000 people have been arrested in the efforts, according to the Associated Press.
Protesters demonstrating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, arrests, and detention conditions have at times clashed with law enforcement. Last month, a woman was shot by federal agents in Chicago after DHS said their vehicles were boxed in by other cars.
Meanwhile, tensions between federal agents and locals in Chicago have only intensified in recent days despite a U.S. District Court judge's attempts to limit what Border Patrol and ICE officers are allowed to do. DHS has insisted that its officers' actions are justified, particularly in light of increased attacks and threats towards them.
What To Know
DHS said that agents had been carrying out targeted enforcement as part of Operation Midway Blitz in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, an area where clashes had already taken place.
At around 9:30 a.m. CT, the department said agents were attacked by a "hostile crowd that boxed them into a street and alleyway." While agents were making an arrest, they came under direct fire from a man driving a black Jeep Wrangler, DHS alleged.
No Border Patrol agents were injured, despite other projectiles including paint cans and bricks being aimed at them.
DHS has said that its agents have seen a dramatic spike in attacks and death threats since President Donald Trump began rolling out his mass deportation plan and have blamed sanctuary city and state politicians, particularly Democrats, for stoking the flames.
In Chicago in particular, DHS has blamed Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker who has been outspoken in his criticism of ICE activity, including allegations that agents have pointed firearms at U.S. citizens and used aggressive tactics while making arrests of both immigrants and Americans.
On Sunday, DHS said it arrested eight U.S. citizens after the alleged attacks on its officers.
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What People Are Saying
DHS wrote in its Monday X post: "This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction. Over the past two months, we’ve seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement."
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in Sunday's press release: “JB Pritzker and [Chicago Mayor] Brandon Johnson have fueled an environment of lawlessness and assault on federal law enforcement. In less than three hours in Chicago, Border Patrol faced gunshots, violent mobs at every stop, bricks and other objects thrown at them, and four vehicle rammings. The violence in Chicago against law enforcement is unprecedented—These attacks are the consequence of vitriolic smears from sanctuary politicians and the media. Just last week, Chicago and national media falsely accused law enforcement of raiding a daycare center. Now, they are silent when our agents come under gunfire.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X on Monday: "@GovPritzker is protecting violent criminal illegal aliens who want American law enforcement officers dead. This is a battle between law and order, good and evil—and we will prevail."
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker told reporters last week: "They [the administration] clearly lie about what goes on. It’s hard for us to know right away what the truth is.”
What Happens Next?
DHS is yet to release more details on the suspect arrested, while the Trump administration is likely to continue facing scrutiny over its tactics in Chicago.
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