Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that no American citizens were arrested during a major ICE operation in Indiana that led to the detention of more than 200 undocumented immigrants. The operation, dubbed “Midway Blitz,” targeted commercial truck drivers in Chicago and nearby areas. However, her categorical denial was swiftly challenged online after CNN’s Jake Tapper cited a California case involving a detained U.S. veteran, intensifying scrutiny over the department’s nationwide immigration enforcement tactics.
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Operation Midway Blitz Announced
During a press conference in Gary, Indiana, Kristi Noem announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had arrested 223 undocumented immigrants across the state as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s latest enforcement drive. The sweep focused on identifying undocumented commercial truck drivers operating in and around Chicago. Noem praised the cooperation of the Indiana State Police, stating that the arrests were part of DHS’s ongoing efforts to “secure the nation’s borders and protect lawful employment.”
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Noem’s Firm Denial
When asked whether any U.S. citizens had been mistakenly detained, Noem firmly denied it. “No American citizens have been arrested or detained,” she said. “We focus on those who are here illegally. And anything you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true and false reporting.” Her remarks appeared aimed at countering recent criticisms of ICE operations nationwide, some of which have drawn accusations of detaining citizens in error.
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CNN Host Challenges Claim
Following Noem’s press conference, CNN anchor Jake Tapper publicly disputed her assertion, sharing details of a prior case from California. “This is false. One example is US veteran George Reyes, Jr,” Tapper wrote on social media, linking to an earlier interview with the veteran. Tapper’s post reignited debate over the accuracy of Noem’s statement and the broader issue of ICE’s handling of citizen detentions during immigration raids.
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The Case of George Reyes Jr.
Reyes, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran who served in Iraq, recounted that he was tear-gassed and detained during an ICE operation in Camarillo, California. According to Reyes, agents “dragged me out of the car, threw me on the ground, one kneeling on my neck and another on my back.” He said he was held for three days in a Los Angeles detention center without being allowed to call his family or shower. His account has drawn public outrage and renewed calls for accountability within DHS.
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DHS Response and Legal Action
The Department of Homeland Security initially accused Reyes of assaulting agents during the raid, but Reyes strongly denied the claim, calling it “crazy” and “false.” He told CNN, “There’s so much footage and so much evidence of what they did.” Reyes said DHS “painted me as a villain” with baseless allegations. He later told CBS News that he wanted justice, saying, “I want change to happen. And I want everyone there that day and who did anything wrong to be held accountable.” DHS has since dropped the charges, though the U.S. Attorney General’s Office continues to review the case.
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Mounting Scrutiny on ICE Operations
The Reyes incident has amplified criticism of ICE’s enforcement tactics under the Trump administration. Advocacy groups have pointed to multiple instances where American citizens were mistakenly detained during large-scale immigration sweeps. Legal experts argue that Noem’s categorical denial risks overlooking these cases, while critics warn that aggressive immigration operations can blur the line between targeted enforcement and civil rights violations.
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Legal and Political Fallout
Reyes announced plans to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging violations of his constitutional rights. His case is expected to test DHS’s accountability for wrongful detentions and could become a focal point in ongoing debates about federal immigration practices. Meanwhile, Noem’s remarks in Indiana have become politically charged, with opponents accusing her of downplaying systemic issues within ICE enforcement.