Chicago-area residents harmed by ICE lead national push for accountability

15 Citizens and Lawful Resident File Claims Against the Federal Government After Having Rights Violated by Immigration Agents

CHICAGO, IL (September 17, 2026) — Attorneys representing a group of 15 Illinois residents have filed claims against the Trump administration for violence and abuse at the hands of federal immigration officials. Together, these cases represent a concerted push for accountability related to Operation Midway Blitz, which was an intense surge by thousands of federal agents that resulted in widespread excessive force and civil rights violations.

The claims, which were filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), detail incidents of excessive force, wrongful detention, and other misconduct during immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area last year. The claimants are represented jointly by Evergreen Legal Strategies, Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, and Jacobson Lawyers Group, and more filings are expected in the coming weeks.

Romanucci & Blandin also represents multiple family members of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by a federal agent during Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis earlier this year.

The Illinois claimants include:

• Juan Muñoz, a U.S. citizen and local elected official in Oak Park, Illinois, who was thrown to the ground and detained by then-Border Patrol leader Greg Bovino while engaging in First Amendment-protected activity;
• Leigh Kunkel, a U.S. citizen journalist documenting protests during Operation Midway Blitz who was hit in the head with a pepper ball, and her partner Kyle Frankovich, also a U.S. citizen, who was handcuffed and detained without cause for more than eight hours; and
• Jennifer Moriarty, a U.S. citizen and attorney, who was detained without cause by agents in her suburban neighborhood on Halloween in front of children celebrating the holiday.

“As a citizen and elected official who had their rights violated, what happened to me has changed how I understand the responsibility that comes with public office. That silence makes abuses of power easier to repeat and grow. I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. That day, I watched people who had done the same violate the very rights the Constitution guarantees. Constitutional rights do not depend on your name, your skin color, your citizenship, your political beliefs, or whether anyone is watching,” said claimant Juan Muñoz.  

“As a victim and witness of egregious violence by federal agents, I demand accountability. Everyone, from the very top of DHS leadership to the individuals who terrorized my city and my neighbors, must face legal consequences. Families were destroyed. People were shot. Many have been left permanently disabled and some have died. We call for accountability at the highest level for what happened and all the way down the chain. All Americans deserve that, “ said claimant Kyle Frankovich.

“As an attorney and a proud American citizen, I feel insurmountable shame on us as a people after experiencing the harms and violations of Midway Blitz. I feel deep sadness for the future for my kids and all the kids. Our role is to make the world a better place.  We cannot sit idle and allow this to continue. We have had enough. It is time to stand up. We all must be willing to stand up for a country that is more humane, peaceful and just,”  said claimant Jennifer Moriarty.

“Federal officers conducting the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign have terrorized communities across the country and made us all less safe. The Federal Tort Claims Act is an important tool to hold the government accountable for the violence, abuse, and neglect our clients have experienced at the hands of immigration officials,” said Karianne Jones of Evergreen Legal Strategies. “By filing these claims, we’re sending a clear message to the Trump administration and immigration officials that no one is above the law.”

“The violence and deprivation of rights we witnessed in Operation Midway Blitz was not the America we know, and it does not reflect the values of liberty and justice for all,” said Antonio Romanucci of Romanucci & Blandin. “We are honored to represent these individuals who are stepping forward to tell their communities and country what happened to them. We are holding ICE accountable for the rights violated by federal agents here in Chicago, and hope that leads to doing so in other cities nationwide.” 

“We’re filing claims against the government for serious offenses committed against our clients including assault, unlawful detention, and excessive force,” said Brian Rosen-Shaud of Jacobson Lawyers Group. “Each of the claims we’ve filed tells an individual story about families traumatized and harmed during Trump’s immigration raids, but together they reveal a pattern of unprovoked violence and disregard for the rule of law. We’ll continue to do everything in our power to achieve justice for our clients and to hold the government accountable for their illegal actions.”

The civil justice process is different to pursue accountability when allegations of harm involve a federal officer or agency, as opposed to a state or municipal officer or agency. The FTCA is a law that allows citizens to sue the government if a federal employee harms them or breaks the law while on duty. The filings come amid a growing number of FTCA claims and lawsuits nationally seeking to hold individual ICE officers and the federal government accountable for violence and abuse during immigration raids.

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About Evergreen Legal Strategies

Evergreen Legal Strategies LLP (Evergreen Legal) is a law firm combining legal expertise with compelling storytelling and a sophisticated understanding of rapidly shifting political and regulatory dynamics. Evergreen Legal — in partnership with Evergreen Strategy Group — brings together world-class legal counsel, policy insight, and strategic communications.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For nearly 30 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.

About Jacobson Lawyers Group

Jacobson Lawyers Group PLLC is a Washington, D.C.-based law firm focused on litigation, regulatory law, investigations and oversight, and counseling involving the federal government. Founded by Dan Jacobson, former General Counsel of the Office of Management and Budget, the firm includes former senior government attorneys who bring deep experience with the laws governing the Executive Branch and with litigation challenging unlawful government action. The firm represents individuals, businesses, nonprofits, federal contractors, local governments, and others navigating complex interactions with the federal government.