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Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker asked Department of Homeland Security leadership Tuesday to pause immigration operations in the Chicago area over the Halloween weekend, according to a letter obtained by NBC Chicago. The governor's request comes amid a controversial ramp-up of federal immigration operations in the Chicago area called "Operation Midway Blitz." The letter — sent to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd M. Lyons, and Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Rodney S. Scott — asks that enforcement of immigration operations be suspended from Friday, Oct. 31 to Sunday, Nov. 2 "in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship, and other community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place." "Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear," the governor wrote in the letter. "No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood." Pritzker referenced recent enforcement operations in which federal agents deployed tear gas, including during a children's Halloween parade in Chicago's Irving Park neighborhood over the weekend. Pritzker noted in the letter that the deployment of tear gas without warning at the Irving Park Halloween parade would be "would have been in direct violation of statements and directives from your administration" if it happened as reported. Earlier this week, Federal Judge Sara Ellis also referenced the event when questioning Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino about federal agents' use of chemical irritants like tear gas in places where children may be in close proximity. Pritzker's letter went on to say that he's heard from parents, teachers and other caregivers that children are anxious amid the federal immigration operations. "Even in these difficult times, they should be able to trust that they are safe — if only for one weekend," Pritzker wrote in the letter. Pritzker said his "request is based on a desire to protect communities throughout Chicago and also upon the long-standing guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding enforcement actions at sensitive locations, which was unfortunately rescinded under this administration." “That guidance should be reinstated to help protect children and others from enforcement action while accessing basic needs like education and healthcare," he wrote. Friday, an elementary school in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood entered a soft lockdown after ICE agents were reported in the area. DHS, however, said there was no operation in the vicinity of the school. Days later, on Tuesday, hundreds of high school students in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood walked out of class to protest ICE and asking Chicago Public Schools to offer hybrid learning to accommodate students who are too scared to go to school. "Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully," Pritzker wrote in the letter. "Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear." Pritzker is expected to hold a news conference at 9:30 a.m. Thursday about the request, according to the governor's daily schedule. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.
