A new report from the University of Illinois Chicago’s Great Cities Institute claims that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, referred to as the 'Midway Blitz,' had a substantial negative impact on the local economy. Researchers estimate that the enforcement efforts led to a $1.2 billion decline in revenue for businesses across the Chicago area.

The study highlights a shift in consumer behavior, noting that residents in neighborhoods with high Latino populations made significantly fewer trips to restaurants and retail stores. According to the researchers, this change in foot traffic was a direct response to the increased presence of federal immigration authorities, which created a climate of uncertainty and fear within these communities.

While the study focuses on the economic fallout, it does not detail the specific operational goals or the number of arrests made by ICE during the 'Midway Blitz.' The report serves as an analysis of the indirect economic consequences of immigration enforcement rather than an assessment of the operation's legal or security objectives. As of now, federal authorities have not issued a formal response to the specific figures cited in the university's findings. The data relies on tracking consumer movement and spending patterns in Cook County to draw a correlation between the timing of the ICE operation and the subsequent drop in local business activity.