Clashes Erupt at Chicago ICE Facility as Protesters Face Tear Gas and Arrests

BROADVIEW, Ill. — A tense standoff outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in suburban Chicago escalated into chaos on Friday, as protesters clashed with federal agents during ongoing immigration raids known as Operation Midway Blitz.

Protest Turns Confrontational

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the ICE facility in Broadview to denounce the Biden administration’s stepped-up immigration enforcement. The protest began peacefully, with activists chanting, holding signs, and linking arms across the driveway to block agency vehicles.

But the demonstration quickly spiraled into confrontation when ICE agents attempted to clear the entrances. Witnesses reported that officers fired pepper balls and tear gas into the crowd, forcing many protesters to disperse while coughing and struggling to breathe. Some demonstrators claimed agents also used physical force, shoving and pulling activists from roadways.

Political Figures Caught in the Clash

The crackdown drew widespread attention because several Illinois political leaders were present at the protest. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, now running for Congress, required medical treatment after being tear-gassed. State Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton condemned the federal response, calling it “an appalling show of intimidation against peaceful citizens.”

Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh alleged she was thrown to the ground by agents while trying to block a driveway. “I was unarmed and standing in solidarity,” she said. “They used chemical weapons on me and dozens of others simply for exercising our rights.”

Arrests and Allegations

Federal authorities confirmed at least three arrests during the standoff. A statement from the Department of Homeland Security accused protesters of crossing the line from demonstration to disorder, citing property damage, trespassing, and interference with government operations. Officials claimed several ICE vehicles had their tires slashed, though activists deny involvement.

Protesters counter that the vast majority of participants were peaceful and accused agents of overreacting with unnecessary force. Videos circulating on social media show tear gas drifting through crowds of chanting demonstrators, some of whom appeared to be retreating as officers advanced.

Operation Midway Blitz

The Broadview protest is part of a wider backlash to Operation Midway Blitz, an aggressive federal crackdown on undocumented immigrants across the Chicago area. DHS has reported hundreds of arrests in less than two weeks. Immigrant advocacy groups argue the raids are traumatizing families and destabilizing neighborhoods, while government officials insist they are targeting individuals with prior deportation orders or criminal records.

A Flashpoint in the Immigration Debate

The ICE facility in Broadview has long been a symbolic site for immigrant rights protests. Activists frequently hold vigils outside its gates, accusing authorities of inhumane detention practices. Friday’s confrontation has only intensified the debate over immigration enforcement, government transparency, and the right to protest.

As tear gas cleared and the crowd thinned, demonstrators vowed to continue resisting Operation Midway Blitz. “We’re not going anywhere,” one organizer said. “This fight is about dignity, justice, and the future of immigrant communities in America.”