This story was originally published by Capital B Gary.
By Calvin Davis
Capital B Gary
October 30, 2025
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a joint press conference Thursday at Gary/Chicago International Airport with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun to deliver updates on “Operation Midway Blitz” — an immigration enforcement initiative that has expanded beyond Chicago into Northwest Indiana.
Noem said the sweep has resulted in 223 arrests, of which 146 were truck drivers, since its start in September.
Noem detailed the 287(g) agreement, which authorizes state police to enforce certain federal immigration laws as part of a broader partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
“Through our partnership that we have with the state of Indiana, we have run an operation recently, which has allowed hundreds of arrests that has brought people in that are breaking our laws,” Noem said.
According to ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, the agency has more than 14 agreements covering more than 200 officers across the state.
In Indiana, efforts have largely focused on commercial vehicle enforcement along highways and at weigh stations. That includes identifying and removing people in the country illegally who hold commercial driver’s licenses as part of operations like Operation Midway Blitz, carried out in partnership with the Indiana State Police through the 287(g) program.
Braun, who recently called a special legislative session to discuss congressional redistricting, made a connection between the call and immigration efforts, arguing that sanctuary cities and states that host illegal immigrants impact the process of redistricting.
“It makes representation disproportionately in their favor,” he said.
Braun’s comments referred to Indiana’s plans to redraw its congressional map ahead of schedule, a move that could affect the state’s two Democratic districts, including the one in Northwest Indiana, where ICE operations have recently intensified under Operation Midway Blitz.
Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Gary/Chicago International Airport in opposition to Noem and immigration enforcement operations. The agencies never publicly announced the event’s location, but protesters gathered at the airport, which has been a frequent site of deportation flights in recent years.
Protesters carried signs reading “Stop Kidnapping Our Neighbors,” “Resist,” and “No ICE,” while chanting along Airport Road. Protesters initially gravitated near the Gary Jet Center, across from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office located on airport grounds, before being escorted by Indiana State Police troopers to the general parking lot. From there, they lined the fence facing the road, hoisting their signs toward passing motorists.
Dorothy Hudson of Michigan City said she made the trip to stand with those too afraid to show up.
“I want to attend any of these I’m able to and lend my voice to those who maybe can’t come out because they’re afraid of what might be here to hurt them,” she said, holding a sign that read “No I.C.E. in N.W.I.”
Hudson said she fears immigration authorities are expanding their reach.
“I just think what they’re doing is wrong. I don’t think there’s due process,” she said. “They’ve been in Chicago, and now they’re inching this way. They’re coming too fast, and we need to tell them they’re not welcome. We need to defend our neighbors.”
Among those in attendance was Johnathan Skaro, who drove from Chicago to join the protest.
“For the people that look like me that can’t do it, I’m doing it for them,” Skaro said.
He said the recent enforcement surge has been difficult to watch.
“It’s tough,” he said. “I’m trying not to let it get to me emotionally.”
Mayor Eddie Melton, who was not notified of the details of the event, said he learned of it through external communications.
“Let me be clear,” Melton said in a statement, “the Office of the Mayor and the City of Gary have not been involved in organizing, planning, or facilitating this event.”
Calvin Davis is Capital B Gary’s government and politics reporter. You can reach Calvin at calvin.davis@capitalbnews.org.
Capital B is a Black-led, nonprofit local and national news organizations reporting for Black communities across the country.
