Federal agents had to deploy tear gas after anarchy erupted outside of an immigration facility in Chicago.
Demonstrators, that included a Democratic mayor and congressional candidate, clashed with federal agents outside of the Broadview ICE facility on Friday.
The confrontation saw agents firing chemical agents, dragging protesters from the roadway, and making arrests.
Amid the mayhem, cameras caught masked officials and politicians, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh – who claimed she was body slammed by an agent.
Biss also later accused ICE of trying to ‘intimidate’ peaceful demonstrators in a post made to his social media after the bout.
‘They drove a van into us, then they tear gassed us,’ Biss, who’s running for Congress, said in a video posted to X. ‘It was terrifying… but we will not be intimidated.’
The protest began around 5 am, part of a larger backlash to a federal immigration crackdown under ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ – a Trump-era enforcement effort recently revived by Homeland Security.
According to DHS, the operation has led to nearly 550 arrests in the Chicago area alone in under two weeks.
Federal agents clash with protesters outside of the Broadview ICE detention facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention, in Broadview, Illinois
Protesters attempt to stop an unmarked car driven by federal agents outside of the Broadview ICE detention facility
By sunrise Friday, demonstrators had linked arms at the gates of the ICE facility in an attempt to block vehicles from entering or exiting.
What followed was a violent standoff with federal officers, who deployed tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets to clear the entrance.
Video shows federal agents physically dragging protesters from the pavement, while others were hit with non-lethal rounds and chemical irritants.
Protestors on the ground disagree, claiming the group ‘remained peaceful’ throughout the chaos.
‘We had no weapons, just signs and songs,’ Abughazaleh told The Associated Press, adding that she was thrown to the ground by agents.
‘They almost ran someone over… then they brought out the pepper balls and the tear gas.’
ICE officials painted a different picture, calling the protesters ‘rioters’ and accusing them of slashing tires, assaulting agents, and trying to block federal operations.
One protester was caught on camera throwing a tear gas canister back at officers – he was immediately tackled and taken into custody, CBS reported.
Amid the mayhem, cameras caught masked officials and politicians, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss (masked in center), who later accused ICE of trying to ‘intimidate’ peaceful demonstrators
A demonstrator is taken into custody by federal law enforcement agents as tear gas fills the air during a protest outside of an immigration processing center in Broadview, Illinois
The protest began around 5 a.m., part of a larger backlash to a federal immigration crackdown under ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’ Pictured: A federal agent clashes with a protester at the Broadview ICE detention facility in Broadview, Illinois on September 19
DHS confirmed three arrests earlier in the day, with a fourth confirmed later in the afternoon.
As the scene escalated, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton – who is running for U.S. Senate – arrived to show support for the demonstrators.
‘People are being snatched off the streets, stuffed into unmarked vans with no due process,’ Stratton said. ‘We’re not going to let that happen.’
Another masked figure at the protest was believed to be Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez, though he hasn’t publicly confirmed his presence. Both Vasquez and Biss were spotted in the crowd during the peak of the unrest.
Federal officials blamed Broadview Police for failing to respond to calls for help, but the department issued a statement pushing back, calling that claim ‘false.’
Police said they received just one call at 11:39 a.m. regarding objects on nearby train tracks and were not told that tear gas or pepper spray would be used – resulting in one local officer being exposed to the chemicals.
A demonstrator is taken into custody following a clash with federal law enforcement agents outside of an immigration processing center on September 19 in Broadview, Illinois
‘They drove a van into us, then they tear gassed us,’ Biss, who’s running for Congress , said in a video posted to X. ‘It was terrifying… but we will not be intimidated’
ICE officials called the protesters ‘rioters’ and accusing them of slashing tires, assaulting agents, and trying to block federal operations. Pictured: Tear gas deployed at a protest in Broadview, Illinois
The Broadview Fire Department said one protester was taken to the hospital, but did not release details on their condition.
The scene outside the ICE facility – a two-story, window-boarded structure used for detaining immigrants prior to deportation – has become a regular protest site in recent weeks.
Friday’s crowd included local residents, activists, and clergy, including Catholic nuns who have led prayer vigils outside the building.
DHS claimed there were more than 100 people at Friday’s protest, but CBS News Chicago’s SkyWatch helicopter footage showed a crowd closer to a few dozen.
‘They want us to be afraid,’ Stratton said. ‘They want us to go into our little corners and not do anything… We’re not going to let that happen.’
‘We. Will. Not. Be. Intimidated,’ Biss echoed online.
