Federal Agents Warn Broadview Officials of Consequences Following Mayor's Comments on ICE

Broadview officials reported that federal agents cautioned the local police department of potential repercussions following Mayor Katrina Thompson's remarks that ICE is "making war on my community." This warning coincided with federal agents deploying tear gas and other chemical agents near protesters outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview for the second consecutive day.

On Saturday evening, agents fired pepper balls into a crowd of approximately 75 protesters, resulting in several arrests. Among those detained was Steve Held, a Chicago journalist and co-founder of Unraveled Press. A Sun-Times reporter was also struck by rubber projectiles and tear-gassed during the incident.

Raven Geary, a colleague of Held's, observed the events from across the street and commented, "They know that they're being watched, they know that they're secret police, they know that they're targeting reporters on purpose."

Around 4:45 p.m., agents released a small amount of tear gas inside the gates of the ICE facility, causing the dozen or so protesters outside to retreat. Shortly after, federal agents exited the facility, and during their return, one agent pushed a protester who then fell, was handcuffed, and taken into the facility.

In response to escalating tensions, several politicians urged the public to avoid the ICE facility. A joint statement from Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, State Senator Robert Peters, and Alderman Andre Vasquez expressed "extreme concern about escalating language and actions by ICE and DHS toward protesters" and advised people to consider the high risk associated with attending protests at Broadview.

Governor JB Pritzker also addressed the situation, stating, "Whether it be in Broadview here in Illinois or in Portland, Oregon, the Trump administration is intentionally creating chaos to threaten sending military troops to American cities and suburbs. The suggestion that chemical agents like tear gas or pepper spray could be used indiscriminately against peaceful demonstrators, or even first responders, is unacceptable and not normal."

Protests have been ongoing outside the ICE facility at 1930 Beach St. since the Trump administration initiated "Operation Midway Blitz," a campaign to increase immigration enforcement across the Chicago area earlier this month.

On Friday, approximately 100 peaceful protesters gathered when ICE officers began firing chemical irritants around 8 a.m., targeting demonstrators who were yelling at passing vehicles on the other side of a heavy-duty fence erected by ICE earlier in the week. Non-lethal ammunition and tear gas followed.

Mayor Thompson addressed Russell Hott, director of ICE's Chicago field office, stating, "It has to stop." In response, ICE agents warned of enforcement actions throughout Broadview and indicated plans to deploy chemical agents against residents and first responders.

Village officials advised residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their families. Agents in military fatigues were observed carrying boxes and buckets labeled as hazardous materials into the facility on Saturday morning. Greg Bovino, chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol El Centro sector, was seen leading several handcuffed individuals into the facility that afternoon.

At least five detainees, including a young girl, were observed being led from a red van, with two men being patted down by agents in tactical gear.

In downtown Chicago on Saturday afternoon, protesters called on Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke to investigate the ICE facility in Broadview and the death of Silverio Villegas González, a Mexican immigrant fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during a traffic stop in Franklin Park earlier this month.

Demonstrators also criticized O'Neill Burke's decision to drop charges against Oak Lawn police Officer Patrick O'Donnell, who was accused of using excessive force during the 2022 arrest of teenager Hadi Abu-Atelah in the south suburb. The state's attorney's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Organizers of the downtown gathering urged people to report ICE activity by calling the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Among the protesters was Liza Johnson, 26, a South Loop resident training to be a pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Johnson stated, "My faith tells me that standing up for my neighbors who are being disappeared by our government is important and a part of the gospel work. I know people who are scared to leave their homes. I can leave my home. So it's really important that I take a stand in this way."

Another protester, Andres Avila, 47, expressed concern about the presence of ICE agents near Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School, where he is a counselor. Avila attended the protest with his wife Silvia and their 14-year-old daughter Maya, stating, "We need to make noise, and we need to let the world know what's happening and that this is not the country that we were told we lived in."

Husam Marajda, one of the organizers, emphasized the importance of continued demonstrations to hold ICE accountable. "We want them to feel empowered," said Marajda, who co-chairs the Coalition Against the Trump Agenda and is a member of the United States Palestinian Community Network. "I want people to know that them being out here matters."