In response to the report released by the Illinois Accountability Commission today investigating the conduct of federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz, the following statement is from Justin Mazzola, Deputy Director for Research with Amnesty International USA:
“Echoing concerns from local community members, legal, medical and mental health experts, impacted individuals, and observers, the findings detailed by the Illinois Accountability Commission in its report released today on Operation Midway Blitz paint a deeply alarming picture of widespread human rights violations.
“The report leaves no doubt that federal agents engaged in paramilitary-style enforcement practices, excessive force, discriminatory stops and arbitrary arrests — harming immigrants, U.S. citizens, journalists, clergy, and bystanders, even children, alike. The roving patrols in residential neighborhoods, the use of unmarked cars, masked officers, excessive violence, and racial profiling created a climate of fear and intimidation.
“In addition to the pattern of arbitrary and warrantless arrests, individuals were also reportedly detained in inhumane conditions, transferred without notice, denied due process, pressured to sign their deportation papers, and denied clear information about their location, leaving families struggling to locate and advocate for their loved ones. Such practices violate the human rights to due process, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention, freedom of expression and assembly, and the right to be free from discrimination and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
“The treatment of people in Illinois during Operation Midway Blitz by federal agents described in this report suggest not isolated incidents, but a systemic effort by the U.S. government to deny human rights. And worse, that the Trump administration lied about its motivations for and outcomes of its unacceptable actions.
“We urge the Trump administration and Congress to take this report very seriously and to implement the recommendations put forth by the Commission, including to hold those in leadership positions accountable, end warrantless arrests and paramilitary tactics, restore due process, and discipline the agents who committed misconduct. The report also recommends that states and localities adopt “Trust Act” style policies to create a separation between local and state law enforcement and federal agents enforcing immigration law, noting that these policies allow all people to trust in the institutions around them. States and localities must establish truth, accountability and justice commissions to investigate abuses, including human rights violations, by ICE, Border Patrol, and other federal agents in their communities.
“This report, centering voices of those harmed and calling for accountability, is an important step forward in bringing to light what really occurred during Operation Midway Blitz and laying out necessary steps for truth, justice and accountability as a path towards restitution and reparations.”
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