Three children waited in a darkened living room holding blue star-shaped balloons, a stuffed animal, and a sign that read, “We missed you, Dad!” When José Luis Téllez Fernández entered the home, his family turned on the lights and shouted “Surprise!” The reunion marked his first time with his loved ones since he was detained by federal agents over four months ago.
Téllez Fernández was arrested on October 6 while working as a landscaper in Little Village. According to his family, federal agents did not show a warrant at the time of arrest. He spent months in detention, separated from his three children and unable to work or care for his dog. His case is one among thousands connected to Operation Midway Blitz, an initiative by federal authorities intended to target undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records.
However, data analyzed by Block Club Chicago indicates that most individuals arrested during Midway Blitz in the Chicago area had no criminal record. Federal authorities reported more than 4,500 noncitizens were arrested as part of this operation. Attorneys from immigrant justice and civil rights organizations allege that many of these arrests violated legal protections against warrantless detentions.
As of mid-February, attorneys said 16 people whom the Department of Homeland Security acknowledged were likely unlawfully arrested remained in custody. Another 40 cases are under review for possible violations of arrest protocols, with up to 30 additional cases identified by lawyers as potential unlawful detentions. The National Immigrant Justice Center estimates that the true number still held could be much higher because officials have not released comprehensive arrest data from all agencies involved.
After his arrest without a warrant—an action prohibited under the Castañon Nava consent decree—Téllez Fernández was initially held at ICE’s Broadview facility before being transferred to Michigan. He described conditions at Broadview as “a true nightmare.” Civil rights groups subsequently sued over alleged mistreatment at this location.
His family struggled both emotionally and financially during his absence. They raised funds for legal assistance and hoped for an early release; however, Téllez Fernández was denied bond due to policies that have since changed. Meanwhile, civil rights organizations including the National Immigrant Justice Center and ACLU of Illinois challenged numerous detentions linked to Operation Midway Blitz as violations of established court orders limiting immigration enforcement powers.
In January 2026, after reviewing video evidence related to Téllez Fernández’s case, Homeland Security officials conceded that his detention breached legal guidelines set out by the Castañon Nava decree. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings then ordered DHS to release him and several others found unlawfully detained.
Following his release on February 15—one day ahead of deadline—Téllez Fernández reunited with relatives who had relocated during his incarceration due to lost income and housing instability. Organizers helped coordinate transportation from Michigan back to Illinois after advocates criticized immigration authorities for failing to notify families prior to releases or provide support for those leaving detention centers.
Téllez Fernández now faces ongoing uncertainty regarding employment prospects and continued immigration proceedings but intends to spend time recovering with family members while seeking clarity about remaining in the United States.
“I think I first need to heal from what I went through,” he said.
He added words of comfort for his son: “It’s time for you to cry, son.”
