UPDATE: A Chicago day laborer, Willian Alberto Giménez González, has filed an urgent petition in federal court to block his deportation following his arrest by ICE during the controversial Operation Midway Blitz. This shocking development has unfolded just days after the operation’s announcement, highlighting the intensifying immigration crackdown in the area.
Giménez González, who arrived in Chicago from Venezuela in 2023, was detained on Friday while at a barber shop in the Little Village neighborhood. He is currently being held at the Department of Homeland Security’s processing center in Broadview, according to his legal team.
His attorney, Kevin Herrera, argues that the arrest is tied to Giménez González’s involvement in a pending lawsuit against Home Depot, Inc. and the city of Chicago, where he claims he was profiled and assaulted while seeking day work outside a store. This lawsuit is currently active at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where his petition was filed on Sunday.
Federal authorities stated that Giménez González is in the U.S. illegally and had previously been ordered deported after missing an immigration court appearance in April 2024. In a written statement, ICE emphasized the legality of their actions, asserting, “There is nothing unjust about enforcing the law and ensuring this illegal alien adheres to the laws of the United States.”
However, Giménez González claims he was absent from the hearing due to “extraordinary circumstances” and is actively appealing the deportation order. His next hearing is scheduled for July 2026 in Chicago.
In his petition, Giménez González is not only seeking to prevent his deportation but is also requesting that any removal take place within Illinois. Federal officials have three days to respond to this petition, adding urgency to the already critical situation.
This arrest comes in the wake of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s announcement of Operation Midway Blitz, which aims to apprehend individuals deemed a priority for deportation. While the full impact of the operation remains unclear, local advocates report a significant increase in calls to their hotlines, indicating growing community concern.
During a protest outside the Broadview facility on Saturday, Giménez González’s supporters rallied for his release, with Herrera stating, “We will fight for Willian, and we will see to it that he is free to be with us in Chicago and to contribute to the city in all of the ways he has since he arrived.”
Prominent local officials, including Democratic U.S. Representatives Delia Ramírez and Jesús “Chuy” García, also voiced their support during the protest. Ramírez proclaimed, “Willian has to be released if we are a country of freedom and justice,” emphasizing the need for compassion and fairness in the immigration system.
This developing story underscores the human impact of immigration policies and the ongoing struggles faced by those navigating the legal system. As authorities prepare to respond to the petition, the situation remains tense and closely monitored by advocates and community members alike.
