As of Friday afternoon, the Department of Homeland Security closed its command command center located at Naval Station Great Lakes. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol have used this as their base of operations during “Midway Blitz” which began on September 5th.
Chief of Staff to North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Gregory Jackson, said in a report that an official at Great Lakes confirmed the agents have left the facility.
Mayor Rockingham said, “The departing of DHS (and) ICE operations from Naval Station Great Lakes provides our residents, especially our Latino community, with a sigh of relief, but I am certain it does the same for Lake County.”
Operation Midway Blitz was not confined to Chicago with numerous caravans of agents dressed in camoflage, carrying military weapons and masked, have operated throughout Lake County. Many people have been taken into custody, many of whom are US citizens. 71.5% of those detained have no criminal record.
Throughout their time here, masked CBP and ICE agents have used controversial tactics which included tear gas, pepper balls, physical violence and vehicle ramming. Multiple instances occurred where agents pointed loaded weapons at unarmed citizens.
In an email, Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said, “We will keep investing in the needs of all our residents, regardless of their immigration status. Waukegan is, and will continue to be, a community that welcomes and supports immigrants. That commitment is unchanged.”
CBP Commander Gregory Bovino along with his agents are moving on to Charlotte North Carolina. The winter weather is likely a factor in the decision. It remains to be seen if the agents return in the spring.