Appeals court lifts injunction on Trump’s Chicago immigration operation

Federal appeals court delivers legal victory for Trump administration's immigration enforcement in Chicago, lifting restrictions on Operation Midway Blitz. Pam Bondi Appeals court lifts injunction on Trump’s Chicago immigration operation 7th Circuit Court vacates injunction that restricted agents' use of force during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago By Michael Sinkewicz Fox News Published March 6, 2026 4:39am EST Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Homan: We’re Going To Keep Enforcing Immigration Laws In A Smart & Effective Way Border czar Tom Homan joins Jimmy Failla on Fox Across America to shed light on how the Trump administration's approach to enforcing immigration laws has exponentially improved the situation at the U.S. southern border. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A federal appeals court on Thursday lifted a lower court’s injunction that had restricted immigration agents’ use of force during Operation Midway Blitz, the Trump administration’s major enforcement operation in Chicago. A three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to vacate the district court’s preliminary injunction and dismiss the appeal, saying the lower court had "granted an overbroad, constitutionally suspect injunction."Attorney General Pam Bondi called the ruling a "huge legal win" for the Trump administration. "Tonight the @thejusticedept delivered a huge legal win in the 7th Circuit for President Trump in support of Operation Midway Blitz — @POTUS's crucial law enforcement surge into Chicago," she posted on X. "President Trump is trying to protect American citizens while local elected officials REFUSE to do so. @thejusticedept attorneys were proud to argue this case. We will continue fighting and WINNING for the President's law-and-order agenda." Police take two people into custody, as tear gas fills the air after it was used by federal law enforcement agents who were being confronted by community members and activists for reportedly shooting a woman in the Brighton Park neighborhood on Oct. 4, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Federal immigration authorities increased enforcement efforts as part of Operation Midway Blitz last fall in Chicago, leading to violent clashes between protesters and officers.In October, protesters and journalists sued several federal agencies, arguing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) violated their First and Fourth Amendment rights by using tear gas and other chemical agents to break up demonstrations. The district court sided with the plaintiffs and issued a preliminary injunction regulating federal immigration enforcement efforts. The federal government appealed.DHS: CHICAGO CRIME DROPS SHARPLY AFTER FEDERAL OPERATION TARGETING CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS Attorney General Pam Bondi called the 7th Circuit’s decision lifting restrictions on federal immigration agents a "huge legal win" for the Trump administration. ( ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP via Getty Images) The plaintiffs later asked the district court to dismiss the case, noting that Operation Midway Blitz had wound down. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis granted the motion in January. The majority opinion criticized Ellis’ decision to dismiss the case "without prejudice," which allows it to potentially be refiled."Because the district court dismissed this case without prejudice—against the plaintiffs’ unopposed request for a dismissal with prejudice—any class members or the lead plaintiffs could refile these claims tomorrow," they wrote. "They could ask the district court to reinstate a near-identical preliminary injunction, adopting the facts and legal reasoning from the district court’s order."CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Oct. 28 amid legal scrutiny over federal enforcement tactics used during Operation Midway Blitz. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) The 7th Circuit also ordered "vacatur," effectively nullifying Ellis’ prior injunction.The judges said vacatur is the "best way to wipe the slate clean" and is "proper to ensure the district court’s injunction order does not affect future litigation." Related Article Border Patrol commander vows continued tear gas use after Minnesota federal judge’s order Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] Related Topics Pam BondiChicagoFederal JudgesAppealsJustice Department More from Politics 20 mins ago Appeals court lifts injunction on Trump’s Chicago immigration operation