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BROADVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — Emotions have also been running high outside an ICE processing facility in west suburban Broadview.
Tuesday, ICE agents erected a fence outside the boarded up building, citing safety.
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The fire chief and some people who live in the area are concerned.
It’s been a volatile time for those who live near this ICE facility in Broadview.
“It’s been overwhelming, watching unfamiliar people going back and forth, moving in this direction,” remarked Edna Lewis, a local resident. “They’re heading that way.”
“It’s been a little bit crazy little chaotic you know cars have been parking here and there,” Tom Johnson, who lives nearby, said.
Tom Johnson, who lives on the other side of 25th Ave., says people have been parking illegally on their residential street and swarming the facility.
Protesters were back out Wednesday morning, holding signs and making noise when ICE vehicles exit from the fence.
That new fencing is a point of contention for the city.
The Broadview Fire chief sent a letter to DHS demanding it remove the fence that was illegally set up Tuesday on a public street.
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The notice indicated, “In situations of fire or other emergencies affecting businesses on the street, Broadview Fire equipment would be unable to navigate the road to reach these businesses.”
That’s also a concern neighbor Edna Lewis shares.
“I’m concerned about that too because my husband is currently in the hospital and frequently returns due to seizures. I’m very worried if they’d be able to arrive without parking far away due to the cars outside,” said Lewis.
“It seems like they’re now doing their own thing and taking control,” stated Johnson. “That’s a public street, and they can’t just erect a barrier like that, but they’re going ahead with it.”
ABC7 has not heard back from ICE or the Department of Homeland Security, following that letter from the Broadview Fire Department.
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