JUDGE ORDERS 615 MIGRANTS ARRESTED IN CHICAGO OPERATION TO BE RELEASED. (PHOTO).

 Judge orders 615 migrants arrested in Chicago operation to be released

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - A federal judge in Chicago has ordered the release of more than 600 migrants arrested during a recent immigration enforcement operation in the area, citing concerns that many were taken into custody without warrants or probable cause.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings directed the immediate release of 13 individuals on Wednesday after attorneys for the Department of Justice acknowledged that their arrests violated a 2022 consent agreement restricting detentions without warrants or proof that a person poses a flight risk. Cummings also set a November 19 deadline for prosecutors to provide a detailed list of the 615 detainees, indicating whether they can be held based on prior criminal convictions or existing removal orders. Those 13 ordered to be released must be freed within two days.

The judge further ruled that migrants not deemed a security threat should be released on $1,500 bond with electronic monitoring while awaiting immigration hearings. Many of those arrested were initially sent to the ICE processing center in suburban Broadview before being transferred to neighboring states. Federal prosecutors noted that at least a dozen of the detainees pose a significant security risk and requested a temporary hold on releases to consult with superiors.

Attorneys representing the migrants argue the arrests violate the extended 2022 Castañon Nava settlement, which prevents detentions without a warrant or evidence that an individual presents a flight risk. Since mid-June, over 3,300 people have been arrested in the greater Chicago area, with more than 1,800 detained by ICE and roughly 1,000 deported. The extended consent decree now remains in effect through February 2026.

The ruling comes amid ongoing federal operations targeting undocumented immigrants. DHS officials reported that more than 3,000 people were arrested since the September 7 operation began. U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and other federal agents are reportedly leaving Chicago to continue similar enforcement missions in Charlotte and New Orleans.