WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 13 criminal illegal aliens in Chicago, a self-declared sanctuary city, during a high-impact operation dubbed Operation Midway Blitz.
The arrests are part of a broader effort to crack down on violent offenders unlawfully residing in the U.S. The sweep honors Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run in Illinois caused by Julio Cucul-Bol, an illegal immigrant.
According to ICE officials, those arrested are linked to serious crimes, including the rape of minors, armed robbery, domestic battery, and sexual assault. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned local and state sanctuary policies, saying they create an environment where “violent thugs” are protected over law-abiding citizens.
“If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return,” McLaughlin said.
Among those arrested:
Carlos Roman-Berrera (Mexico): Aggravated sexual assault of a child, prior DUI
Marcelino Ramos Crus (Mexico): DUI, resisting arrest, vehicular burglary
Juan Armenta (Mexico): Armed robbery, DUI
Hector Palomar-Flores (Mexico): Domestic battery, assault, DUI
Bernardino Perez-Arrevillaga (Mexico): Convicted sex offender, sexual assault (victim aged 13–17)
Bolotbek Dzhenutbaev (Kyrgyzstan): Domestic battery
Varinderpal Singh (India): Convicted of strongarm rape
Juan Manuel Gaspar-Nochebuena (Mexico): Criminal sexual abuse of a child
Pascual Lucas-Baltazar (Guatemala): DUI, hit-and-run (pending charges)
Brandon Gonzalez-Salazar (Guatemala): Pending charges for discharging a firearm
Jose Luis Amador-Bonilla (Guatemala): Convicted of forgery, pending domestic violence charges
Ignacio Santiago-Garcia (Mexico): DUI, stolen property possession
Francisco Tziquin-Balux (Guatemala): Pending hit-and-run charges
Officials say the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will continue to increase enforcement activity in Chicago and other sanctuary cities in partnership with federal agencies, including the Department of Justice.
The operation reflects a growing concern among law enforcement over policies that shield undocumented offenders from deportation and enable repeat offenses in U.S. communities.
