Federal immigration agencies are accusing law enforcement in Illinois of not assisting with “violent crowds” at a protest outside a suburban Chicago Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center. During the protest last week, federal officers used tear gas and pepper balls against the anti-ICE demonstrators.

However, officials, including Governor JB Pritzker, dispute these claims, arguing that the federal agencies are spreading misinformation. They believe this is an attempt by the government to shift blame for rising tensions as a major immigration enforcement operation, known as Operation Midway Blitz, enters its third week.

Tensions flared on Friday when a group of 75 to 80 protesters gathered at the ICE processing center in Broadview, heavily involved in the federal operation that includes numerous officers and multiple federal agencies.

“For three consecutive days, rioters and sanctuary politicians have obstructed and attacked law enforcement,” stated Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a Monday statement. “These rioters have thrown tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement, slashed vehicle tires, blocked building entrances, and trespassed on private property.”

McLaughlin has repeatedly stated that police in Pritzker’s “sanctuary jurisdictions” have refused assistance with the protests.

However, two local law enforcement agencies contacted by said that they were never contacted for assistance.

When asked for comment, spokespeople for Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Broadview Police Department labeled the Department of Homeland Security’s claims about denied assistance as “false.”

“The state has not received multiple calls for assistance from the federal government and would remind them of the importance of coordinating with local law enforcement to protect public safety,” Pritzker spokesperson Matt Hill said. “Governor Pritzker has been clear that violence is unacceptable, and everyone needs to follow the law, which includes federal agents respecting constitutional rights to peaceful protest.”

A spokesperson for the Village of Broadview told on Monday that village officials were told that items were being thrown on the railroad tracks that run near the ICE facility. He said that the matter was turned over to the railroad, which handles security.

But in terms of anything related to ongoing immigration enforcement efforts, there is nothing village police is involved with, the spokesperson said. He called DHS’ claims that Broadview Police were called “false.” However, on Tuesday, in a statement attributed to McLauglin, the federal agency said that the local department was calked at least three times on Saturday and multiple times on Friday “with no response.”

“ICE is responsible for making their own arrests for both property violations and violence on their property,” the spokesman, David Ormsby, said, on Monday.

DHS extends fencing around Broadview ICE facility in response to protests

DHS officials confirmed to on Tuesday that it has extended fencing around the boarded-up facility, which is being used as the main processing center for those detained by federal officers and agents during “Operation Midway Blitz.

DHS officials say that more than 550 people have been arrested since the large-scale, multiagency federal crackdown began Sept. 8. DHS said 16 people have been arrested in connection with last week’s protests, some of whom have been charged with assaulting law enforcement.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that all of those arrested have been released. Brad Thomson, a spokesperson for the National Lawyers Guild, told the newspaper that he could not say how many of those taken into custody had been charged.

Thomson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from .

A DHS spokesperson told on Tuesday that the fencing around the processing center in suburban Broadview was extended “after rioters and sanctuary politicians obstructed law enforcement” on Friday, when protesters and federal officers clashed to the point where tear gas was released.

Protesters remain committed to shutting Broadview ICE processing center down

DHS extended the Broadview facility fence following a report from the Huffington Post, which claimed DHS planned to shut the facility down. The agency has said that the report is “false.”

The agency has not provided more details about the future of the facility, where McLaughlin told that “some of the worst of the worst” were being processed when “riots broke out” on Friday.

Despite plans for more protests to continue in Broadview, federal officials said that their mission in Chicago will continue “until the job is done.”

“Rioters and sanctuary politicians will not deter President Trump and (DHS) Secretary (Kristi) Noem from enforcing the law,” McLaughlin said in a statement provided to on Tuesday.

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander at-large who is overseeing the Chicago operation, agreed with McLaughlin.

“The mission will not waver in the face of protests by the lunatic fringe,” Bovino told on Monday.

Democratic lawmakers, candidates among the anti-ICE protesters

On Friday, multiple people, including Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive running for Congress in Illinois, posted a video on social media of protesters, including herself, being thrown to the ground by officers.

Despite DHS’ characterization of the protests, Abughazaleh told on Tuesday that those demonstrating at the facility last week were the victims of abuse by federal officers. She said that during the multiple times she has protested at the Broadview site, she has been thrown to the ground three times by federal officers.

During Friday’s clashes, Abughazaleh said that protesters were protecting themselves and did not fight back. Several public officials, including Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, said that they were hit by tear gas as part of the continued demonstrations.

Biss told on Monday that federal vans were “driven into” peaceful protesters during Friday’s rally and that federal officers were “physically aggressive” toward protesters. Like Abughazaleh, Biss who is seeking the same congressional seat as Abughazaleh posted video of his encounter with federal officers on social media.

Yet Biss said demonstrators must continue to raise their voice, speaking out against what they are seeing despite the way they are treated by federal officers.

Abughazaleh told that she plans to continue to do that and will not be deterred until the Broadview ICE processing center is closed. As she and others push for the facility’s closing, though, she expects the messaging sent out by federal agencies to continue.

“ICE does not care about our rights, and ICE does not care about the Constitution,” Abughazaleh said. “ICE will continue to harm people, abduct people and violate our First Amendment rights until this facility is shut down. But if there are no consequences, they will act without impunity because why wouldn’t they?”

She added: “It’s surreal to see things I experienced in real time lied about so blatantly and aggressively.”