CHICAGO (WGN) ICE detained several immigrants in Chicago’s South Loop on Wednesday and clashed with advocates protesting the arrests.

affiliate WGN News cameras rolled as advocates gathered outside the BI Incorporated building Wednesday afternoon, on South Michigan Avenue near the city’s South Side. BI Incorporated is a government contractor that operates the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP)  for immigrants, utilizing ankle bracelets and other monitoring devices as an alternative to detention.

Advocates say they were tipped off that ICE was detaining people early Wednesday morning when a woman who is part of the ISAP program showed up for a check-in appointment that she received a text message about earlier in the week. 

Antonio Gutierrez, with Organized Communities Against Deportation, said that the woman’s attorneys were not allowed inside with her. 

“She was told to come today, no set time, no reason as to why. We also have learned of other people in Chicago who are in the ISAP program, family members of other individuals who are physically detained at this building right now,” Gutierrez said.

Others shared similar stories.

“(It) was a bit impromptu, usually they get a better warning, and we got the surprise that he was being detained, and I didn’t even see him leave the site,” Carlos Pineda, who drove a friend to similar “check-in,” said.

The crowd gathering reportedly lasted for hours until federal agents emerged, leading people with their hands cuffed in front of them to a white van in the street. 

It’s unclear how many people were arrested, but Chicago Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th Ward) estimates that agents took at least 10 people into custody. The alderman also said that ICE agents shoved him down three times during their enforcement attempts. Amidst the chaotic scene, federal agents used batons to push back the crowd and had pepper spray ready, but did not deploy it.

Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward) told WGN News it’s shameful what’s transpiring in the city.

“What we saw here today … masked individuals. These people are not law enforcement. These are masked individual,” the alderman said. “These are Proud Boys (that) don’t show their faces. They’re kidnapping people, and here in Chicago we are saying no to the fascist dictator who is kidnapping people. There was a mother who had a 10-year-old boy who now has no mother. 

“(Expletive) ICE and abolish ICE!”

Quezada also addressed the incident, saying that in a “Gestapo fashion, 50 agents or so walked down the street, stood in front of the driveway and aggressively came through, knocked me down, assaulted me and other community members here today, then pulled out weapons and also their sticks, pushing some of us, punching some of us to get through this driveway.”

Chicago Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) added: “They robbed families of their mothers. They robbed families of their siblings. They robbed families of their fathers.

“The image that will forever be ingrained in my head will be the women in handcuffs crying, begging their families to help. The fathers who were taken out of that building, crying, begging for us to help. And so, we will do just that. We will not rest until we ensure that we demand their release, because they have every right to be here.”

A full statement from Fuentes reads:

Today was incredibly difficult. I witnessed federally sanctioned brutality that I never imagined was possible in our city.

First, thank you to OCAD, ICIRR, Palenque LSNA, CAARPR, and everyone who showed up today.

I want to reiterate what I shared during our press conference following the ICE action. Do not let the Department of Homeland Security convince you that they are only deporting criminals. Do not let them convince you that we are better without our immigrant community. Do not let them convince you that these actions make our communities safer. What is factual is that these actions are putting our community at greater risk. Children are being left behind. Families are being separated. Hard working contributors to the fabric of our society are being disappeared. 

The 10 people who were illegally detained showed up for their appointments in good faith. They came prepared with their attorneys, their documents, and their families. What they were met with was a manipulative tactic used to kidnap them. These actions are not right. And, further, these actions are illegal.

The best way to fight against fear is to be informed and build community. Please call the Family Support Hotline if your family member has been taken by ICE or you suspect ICE presence: 855-435-7693.

Remember that you have the right to film police activity, the right to remain silent, and the right to speak to an attorney.

Know that you have elected officials who will show up for you. Know that you have an emergency hotline. Know that you have an entire network of deportation defense on your side. We keep us safe.

Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward)

affiliate WGN News reached out to ICE for additional information. An ICE spokesperson issued the following statement on Thursday morning:

“Those arrested had executable final orders of removal by an immigration judge and had not complied with that order.”

Chicago police, meanwhile, responded to the scene to help with crowd control in the interest of public safety. CPD is legally prohibited from aiding in immigration enforcement, though advocates accused them of protecting the process, a claim CPD denies. The department said it made no arrests of is own.

Responding to WGN News’ request for comment, CPD denied any involvement in assisting immigration enforcement, saying that all actions taken Wednesday were in accordance with department policy.

The full statement reads:

The Chicago Police Department responded to the 2200 block of S. Michigan for two calls of assist the police officer, which initiated the emergency response.

Officers arrived without knowledge of immigration enforcement occurring at the location. CPD spoke with individuals inside a building at the location, as well as the large crowds gathered outside. CPD was on-site to ensure the safety of all involved, including those exercising their First Amendment rights.

At no point did CPD assist in immigration enforcement. All actions taken by CPD during this incident were in accordance with CPD policy and the City of Chicago Municipal Code. No arrests were made by CPD and the crowd dispersed without incident.”

Chicago Police Department

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson who, one day prior, questioned the legality of the arrests and whether warrants had been issued before ICE agents reportedly raided communities in Pilsen and his Press Office issued a statement Wednesday evening:

“Mayor Johnson condemns the reckless and dangerous escalation by ICE agents this afternoon in the South Loop. Chicagoans have the right to protest the separation of family members by federal immigration enforcement.  Federal agents should never be allowed to come into our city and assault elected officials or any Chicagoan. All residents have the right to due process under the Constitution, any action to the contrary is unconscionable. We will continue to uphold the Welcoming City ordinance and the Illinois Trust Act, and ensure law enforcement does the same. We are reviewing this incident and will provide an update as more information becomes available.”

Statement from the Mayor’s Press Office