Protesters arrested as clashes between federal agents, demonstrators continue outside Broadview ICE facility

Federal agents and protesters clashed Friday morning outside the Broadview ICE facility. Agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls. Multiple people have been arrested.

In a statement, the U.S Department of Homeland Security said three people had been arrested.  At about 4:15 p.m., a fourth person was taken into custody outside the facility. She was standing outside the gate when it opened and an SUV tried to leave. Federal agents can be seen firing a less-lethal munition at her, then pushing her out of the way and physically taking her into the facility. 

A short time later she comes back out, disoriented and missing a shoe, with the help of another demonstrator who walks her across the street to a grassy area. Protesters confront agents about her detention for a moment, before armed federal agents surround the woman and handcuff her, leading her back into the ICE facility. 

The protest initially began around 5 a.m. Demonstrators have gathered at this facility weekly since the Trump administration announced they would be stepping up immigration enforcement efforts with “Operation Midway Blitz.”

ICE agents dragged and tackled protesters outside the west suburban facility as the crowd blocked the parking lot entrance. Tensions escalated whenever the gate to the facility opened. ICE agents formed a wall to guard the gate as their vehicles entered and exited, and protesters tried to block cars from any movement. 

Popping sounds could be heard as agents on the roof and on the ground fired non-lethal ammunition to get the crowd out of the way. In one dramatic moment around 8:30 a.m. that played out live on our morning news, a tear gas container was deployed into the crowd and then thrown back at agents. The protester who threw it back was immediately taken down and arrested. 

One protester blocked a vehicle before being physically removed by agents who sprayed a chemical irritant. Another protester, the one who video shows threw the tear gas canister back the ICE facility, was taken into the facility after 8:30 a.m. and handcuffed on the ground. 

Demonstrators at the scene said one protester was put in a van and taken “god knows where.”

Kat Abughazaleh, who is running for Congress in Illinois’ 9th district, said she was thrown by agents, and confirmed she saw a second protester taken into the ICE facility. 

“All of us joined arms, we did not let the van pass. ICE came in and tried to drive the car through us, they almost ran someone over,” she said. “We did not move, we stood strong, and that’s when they brought out the pepper balls and the tear gas.” 

“We have no weapons, we have signs and chants and songs,” she added. “They are treating us like it’s a warzone.” 

DHS claimed they called police for assistance but got no response. However, Broadview police responded in a statement saying they “did not receive ‘multiple calls for assistance’ from the leadership of the ICE detention facility in Broadview. That is false.”

The statement went on to stay the police department received one call from the facility at 11:39 a.m. to tell them about objects being thrown on the railway tracks behind the ICE facility, at which point police contacted the railroad to let them know so they could address those concerns.

A spokesperson for the police department said BPD had an agreement with ICE to be informed before any chemical arms were sed, but said the department was not informed of that Friday morning. As a result, BPD said an officer was exposed to mace and tear gas used by ICE. 

Police also said the Broadview Fire Department took one protester to a nearby hospital for treatment, but did not elaborate on their injuries.

Protesters and reporters had to run from the cloud of chemical smoke, which smelled like tear gas according to people at the scene. Some were seen sitting or laying on the ground, having water poured in their eyes.

“Even though I got hit hard and it was overwhelming and scary, it’s nothing compared to what’s happening in there,” said Meridian Eck, one of the protesters who was affected by the tear gas. “They took someone, and that’s why I’m here. They took someone and I have no idea what’s happening.”

Each escalation between protesters and agents happened when a vehicle tried to enter or leave the facility. When vehicles moved, the protesters would link arms to block its way. 

Protesters said throughout the morning agents fired pepper balls, rubber bullets and smoke grenades at demonstrators. 

By 11 a.m. the crowd of protesters had thinned, although the original announcement about the demonstration called for a second gathering at 7 p.m. 

At around noon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Chief Gregory Bovino appeared at the facility gates, standing with armed and uniformed agents.

CBP Chief Gregory Bovino seen outside the Broadview ICE facility on Friday, Sept. 19. 

In a statement, DHS claimed there were over 100 people at the protest, though video from CBS News Chicago’s SkyWatch showed only a few dozen. They said the demonstrators assaulted law enforcement, threw tear gas cans, slashed tires and blocked the entrance of the building, characterizing them as “rioters.” 

CBS News Chicago did capture video of one van returning to the facility’s gate with a flat tire. Protesters took credit for doing it, while the DHS blamed them for slashing tires. 

Illinois politicians join protesters outside facility

Along with Abughazaleh, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton joined the protesters around 4:30 a.m. to speak out against ICE enforcement. 

“People are here to peacefully protest,” Stratton, who is running for Senate, said. “Look what we have been seeing over the past several weeks right here in Chicago. People are being snatched off the streets, stuffed into unmarked vans with no due process.” 

She said this week there have been attacks on First Amendment rights, and it has caused fear. 

“I’m here to stand with Illinoisians who are protesting peacefully,” Stratton said. 

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who is also a candidate to replace Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Congress, was also at the protest Friday morning, alongside what looked to be Chicago Ald. Andre Vasquez. 

Broadview facility target of protesters since start of “Operation Midway Blitz”

Last week, protesters faced heavily armed agents in military gear. Some protesters were hit with chemical agents and rubber bullets. 

Immigrant rights advocates and Chicago activists have been protesting outside ICE facilities in the suburbs since last week, and more protests were planned with the enhanced enforcement operation underway. 

The efforts come weeks after the Trump administration first signaled it would be drastically ramping up U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Chicago.

The department did not say how long the operation is expected to last.

Organizers are working in the community to inform residents of their rights; the city of Chicago offers “Know Your Rights” guides in both English and Spanish. 

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