Thousands Of Jailed Immigrants in Chicago Have Vanished From Federal Records, Human Rights Attorneys Claim

Human-rights attorneys in Chicago say they cannot account for more than 3,000 people arrested during a federal immigration crackdown known as "Operation Midway Blitz," raising concerns about due process, transparency, and possible coerced departures.

Immigration and Border Patrol officers have arrested more than 3,000 people who authorities say were in the U.S. illegally and in some cases wanted for serious crimes, all in the seven weeks since feds intensified their efforts in the state.

Attorneys consulted by NBC Chicago, however, say federal authorities have refused — or are unable — to disclose where many of those detainees are being held or whether they have already been deported.

"It is quite dire," said Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center, which is suing federal authorities. "These are folks that have been here for decades, have long standing ties to the community, family members, employment, businesses that are all being torn apart."

Fleming said he believes the government is arresting people, placing them into "unlawful mandatory detention," then pressuring them into so-called voluntary departure — in which detainees waive legal rights and return to their home countries. Homeland Security officials have not released a full list of arrestees or deportations.

Separately, attorneys filed new motions Monday to block federal agents from using tear gas in Chicago, citing repeated alleged violations of an existing restraining order. ABC7 Chicago reported that complaints have come from multiple neighborhoods, with residents — including a pregnant woman — expressing concern about health impacts.

The filings reference Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, who has overseen Midway Blitz operations. In a recent ABC News interview, Bovino confirmed nearly 3,000 arrests since the crackdown began and defended the use of chemical agents as "the least amount of force necessary."

Bovino is scheduled to appear before Judge Sarah Ellis to explain his actions as court filings accuse him of violating restrictions by deploying chemical agents without audible warning. DHS has said Bovino was struck by an object thrown by protesters, though plaintiffs dispute that account.

Additional court documents describe multiple recent incidents in which agents allegedly used force, including during a neighborhood Halloween parade. Plaintiffs say federal officers tackled residents and repeatedly deployed tear gas without warning. DHS said in a statement that "rioters and terrorists" have attacked officers and that ICE and CBP personnel "use the minimum amount of force necessary."

A ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court remains pending on whether National Guard troops can be deployed to Chicago.