Democratic governors in Illinois and Minnesota are responding to recent federal immigration enforcement operations in their states with investigations and sharp criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics.

Illinois officials conducted a second day of hearings Tuesday as part of their investigation into Operation Midway Blitz, an ICE operation conducted during the fall under the Trump administration. Governor J.B. Pritzker discussed the state's plans to seek accountability for the Chicago-area immigration enforcement actions.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz characterized recent federal immigration operations in his state as a "campaign of organized brutality." Walz stated that "armed, lawless gangs roamed our communities" and described the impact on families, saying children were separated from their parents and families lived in fear.

The governors' responses reflect broader tensions between Democratic state leaders and federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Both states are conducting investigations into the operations that took place in their jurisdictions.

The criticism comes as the Trump administration has emphasized enhanced immigration enforcement as a key policy priority, leading to increased ICE operations in various states across the country.