Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and top federal immigration officials to temporarily halt immigration enforcement activities across Chicago for three days to ensure children can celebrate Halloween safely.
The appeal follows a disturbing incident in which ICE agents reportedly deployed tear gas in the Old Irving Park area last Saturday, as families and children walked to a local Halloween parade. The event has sparked outrage and raised concerns about public safety and federal enforcement tactics.
In a letter obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, Pritzker urged the Department of Homeland Security to pause all enforcement operations from Friday through Sunday in neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, parks, and other community spaces hosting Halloween events.
“Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear,” Pritzker wrote. “No child should be forced to inhale tear gas while trick-or-treating in their own neighborhood.”
Pritzker also referenced DHS’s previous “sensitive locations” policy — which restricted enforcement near schools and churches — noting that it had been rescinded by the current administration. He called for that policy to be reinstated to protect vulnerable residents.
The governor said if reports of the tear gas incident are accurate, the action would have violated the administration’s own directives. DHS officials, however, claimed multiple warnings were issued before the gas was released — something witnesses dispute.
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, during testimony earlier this week, criticized Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, saying children’s “sense of safety was shattered” after witnessing the tear gas deployment.
Pritzker concluded his letter by urging federal officials to “let children be children” and allow them to enjoy Halloween “free from intimidation and fear.”
The Old Irving Park case is the latest in a series of federal operations across Chicago neighborhoods — including Little Village, Albany Park, and Logan Square — under “Operation Midway Blitz.”
