DHS marks 'one of the most violent days' of Operation Midway Blitz with several arrests

Three illegal immigrants and six U.S. citizens were arrested in the Chicago-area on Oct. 22 – what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dubbed "one of the most violent days" of Operation Midway Blitz.

"While conducting immigration enforcement operations in Cicero and Glendale Heights, agitators stalked law enforcement, rammed vehicles, fled scenes, injured agents, and caused multiple accidents across town — putting law enforcement and the public in danger. Despite the violence, CBP arrested three illegal aliens who were breaking our nation’s immigration laws. Six citizens were arrested for impeding and threatening to kill agents," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

"Our officers are facing a surge in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members," McLaughlin added.

The list of five incidents that occurred on Wednesday includes several incidents in which U.S. citizens are accused of threatening violence and taking other actions against immigration enforcement officers. According to DHS, Isabel Mata, a U.S. citizen, allegedly threatened a law enforcement officer after stating she would put a hit out on Border Patrol commander Chief Gregory Bovino. The department said it referred the incident to the FBI.