Sec. Noem speaks in Gary about ICE operations

GARY, Ind. — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem, Indiana governor Mike Braun and ICE leadership held a press conference Thursday morning at the Gary airport.

The press conference was related to Operation Midway Blitz and authorities efforts targeting truck drivers in Indiana in a recent roadway operation.

ICE said 223 people were arrested in the operation and that many obtained fraudulent CDL’s to drive semi-trucks.

Noem stated 146 were drivers, including 46 semi-truck drivers and 82 drivers of box trucks, buses or moving vans.

The press conference comes as WGN News reported Wednesday a raid by ICE in Gary that separated a family.

Arnoldo Carrillo claims agents gave minimal warning before forcing their way inside and were physically assaulted. His parents were detained and remain in facilities across the country.

ICE leadership and the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed that they are deporting “the worst of the worst.”

However, 71-percent of people in ICE detention have no criminal convictions as of Sept. 21, according to data obtained by tracreports.org, which gathers and tracks government immigration data.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton released the following statement.

“The city has been made aware of the upcoming press conference involving Secretary Noem, Governor Braun, and ICE leadership through external communications, just as the public has as of today.

Let me be clear: the Office of the Mayor and the City of Gary have not been involved in organizing, planning, or facilitating this event. The City of Gary will not be participating in this event.”