UPDATE: Chicago-area companies are profiting massively from federal contracts linked to the recently intensified immigration enforcement operation, Operation Midway Blitz. New data reveals that local businesses have raked in millions as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security escalates its operations throughout the city.
According to Block Club Chicago, nearly a dozen companies have experienced a surge in contracts just as federal immigration actions ramped up. Notably, Reliance Relocation Services secured a staggering $7.3 million to relocate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees over a mere four-month period. These contracts coincided with the announcement of Operation Midway Blitz on September 8, 2025.
The fallout from these contracts is immediate and alarming. Local residents, including protesters and community leaders, are expressing outrage over what they describe as a “disgusting” exploitation of immigration enforcement efforts. Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate, stated, “Realizing that those pepper balls are coming from people in our community… that hurts in a different way.”
In a shocking twist, United Tactical Systems, a Lake Forest weapons manufacturer, received nearly $1.5 million in contracts to supply pepper balls and air-powered guns, just days before federal agents employed these weapons against protesters. The escalation of force against civilians has raised serious ethical questions regarding the tactics used by federal agents and the local companies profiting from them.
Federal agencies, including ICE and others involved in Operation Midway Blitz, have remained silent on the specifics of these contracts. Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis has criticized the lack of transparency, stating, “They’re not even being transparent for those of us who supposedly have oversight authority.”
The ramifications of these contracts extend beyond financial gain. Residents like Levi Rolles, who were shot with pepper balls during protests, describe the painful experience as akin to “getting a second-degree sunburn.” Rolles calls the actions of companies working with ICE “opportunistic,” emphasizing the human cost.
In addition to Reliance and United Tactical Systems, other local companies have joined in profiting from these federal contracts. For instance, Invisio Communication was awarded a $398,099 contract for tactical communication equipment, while Proalliance Corp. received $389,350 for dental x-ray machines at ICE facilities.
The growing criticism highlights the moral implications of local businesses profiting from a militarized approach to immigration enforcement. U.S. Rep. Jesus Garcia condemned the use of taxpayer dollars to “wage war on Latinos” and called for accountability among companies profiting from these actions.
With the federal government facing a potential shutdown, the lack of transparency surrounding these contracts may persist as a significant issue for accountability. Activists and community members are demanding to know how taxpayer money is being spent and how it impacts their neighborhoods.
As the situation develops, community leaders and residents insist that the time has come for serious discussions about the ethics of federal contracts tied to controversial immigration policies. As outrage grows, the impact of these contracts on Chicago’s communities and the legal landscape will be crucial to monitor in the coming days.
For those following the unfolding events, the implications of Operation Midway Blitz and the companies involved are anything but over. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation continues to evolve.
