North Cook News

Leandro Basilio Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested in Evanston by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, the U.S. Department of Homeland (DHS) Security posted on X.

Martinez’s previous arrests include assault and driving under the influence (DUI), DHS reported.

His arrest was part of Operation Midway Blitz, a statewide enforcement effort launched September 8 by DHS, ICE, and U.S. Border Patrol targeting criminal illegal aliens across Illinois. The operation has resulted in more than 800 arrests, focusing on what officials described as “the worst of the worst.”

The operation was named in honor of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old Illinois woman killed in a drunk-driving hit-and-run caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol. Abraham and her friend Chloe Polzin died in Urbana when Cucul-Bol struck their vehicle and fled. He was later arrested near Dallas while attempting to flee to Mexico and charged with aggravated DUI causing death, reckless homicide, and identity fraud, ABC7 Chicago reported. DHS designated Operation Midway Blitz in Abraham’s memory, citing her death as a preventable tragedy, DHS reported.

“During Operation Midway Blitz, DHS law enforcement has made more than 800 arrests across Illinois,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “The Trump Administration will not allow violent criminals or repeat offenders to terrorize our neighborhoods or victimize our children and innocent Americans.”

Federal officials said Operation Midway Blitz will continue in the Chicago area and surrounding communities as part of ongoing enforcement targeting criminal illegal aliens with violent and repeat offenses.