Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson aims to give 'reparations' to illegal immigrants, residents impacted by ICE

Chicago City Council overwhelmingly approved a referendum that will ask voters in November whether the city should seek financial compensation from the federal government for last year's US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "Operation Midway Blitz."

Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson, who proposed the referendum, compared the ICE operation to a series of military actions that "disrupted" the lives of businesses and families, including those unlawfully residing in the country, NBC Chicago reported.

The referendum that will appear on the November 3 ballot reads as follows: "Shall the City of Chicago pursue all lawful means to recover financial compensation from the federal government for the costs and economic harm caused by the Donald Trump administration's violent, militarized ICE operations, including the Midway Blitz operation led by Greg Bovino, to recover lost tax revenue, public safety response costs, and services provided to residents and families affected by those operations?"

Mayor Johnson cited numerous immigration enforcement actions that impacted the city in his proposal. This includes Texas officials busing illegal immigrants to Chicago "without notice" or "adequate federal support," which he argued strained city resources.

"Independent studies of comparable ICE operations have found millions of dollars in economic losses to local communities and governments, demonstrating that large-scale militarized ICE enforcement imposes substantial financial burdens on cities," the referendum resolution reads.

Additionally, Johnson said during the city council meeting that Chicago would be giving "reparations" to residents who have been impacted by ICE raids.

During Operation Midway Blitz, more than 800 illegal immigrants were apprehended, including those with serious criminal histories, such as murder, child rape, and aggravated assault, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The operation occurred in September 2025.

Chicago, a sanctuary city, has one of the highest populations of illegal immigrants in the nation. Mayor Johnson's administration has fought the Trump administration's immigration policies since the president returned to the White House in January 2025.

The Trump administration reported that Operation Midway Blitz resulted in a vast decrease in crime in Chicago.