ICE agents in Chicago news: Mother of 3 in US for 10 years, Grace & Peace Church volunteer among those detained in South Loop
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — There are new details Thursday about some of the people detained at a South Loop immigration facility Wednesday.

It’s not clear where all of those detained Wednesday are being held.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Some individuals might be held in the basement of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters located downtown. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to provide any information in response to inquiries.

Just a day after her detention, Marina Lopez finds herself at the Broadview detention center, with the looming threat of being deported back to Guatemala, her country of origin. Her attorney mentioned that she had warned Marina that this was a possibility before her Wednesday appointment.

“She held strong beliefs that she would not be detained. In fact, she carried her Bible with her. I distinctly remember it being quite thick. She took a moment to pray before entering,” shared attorney Cynthia Fernández.

A mother of three, including two U.S. citizen children, Lopez came into the country 10 years ago, seeking asylum. She was granted a work permit, but her case has been pending because of a prior arrest at the border six months earlier.

SEE MORE: Chicago leaders call for investigation after South Loop ICE arrests, calling it an ‘entrapment’

“She spoke to her husband. She talked to her children. She said, ‘this might be a possibility.’ It could be a couple of days before they saw each other again. She gave him all the paperwork, passports, birth certificates; they put everything in order,” Fernández said.

Speaking from the family’s Ingleside home, her husband, who asked not to show his face, in Spanish, said, “Separating them is very hard. My little girl is only 5. She’s used to being with her mother. She didn’t sleep last night. She kept asking where she was. All I could say is that she’s detained. It breaks my heart.”

But not all of those detained Wednesday had a heads up. Without the benefit of an attorney to guide them, most showed up to their appointments unawares, after receiving texts messages to come in. Among them was Karla Gil Naranjo, a member at Grace & Peace Church.

“She’s an amazing person, working hard. She’ll work full-time, volunteer at the center, come to church,” Pastor John Zayas said.

Speaking from an Immigration Heritage Month luncheon at the Harold Washington Library Thursday, her pastor denounced what he called a lack of due process.

“Here’s an example of someone who is doing it the right way. Following the law, following the process, going to court, doing everything that is being asked of them, and then this happens,” Zayas said.

Her family still doesn’t know where she is.

“She’s followed the process. The day before she was at that site. She did her check-in with ICE, and so what they did was they texted her and said, ‘listen, you forgot to sign some papers.’ So, she went back that day. So, she was set up. It was a trap,” Zayas said.

Lopez’s attorney said she received a call from her client and an immigration officer, looking to see whether she should sign a form authorizing her U.S. citizen children to be deported along with her. She declined.

In a statement Wednesday, an ICE spokesperson said all “Those arrested had executable final orders of removal by an immigration judge and had not complied with that order.”

Lopez’s attorney refuted that, saying she plans to file a stay, hoping to stop the mother of three from being deported.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Readers sound off on a Ukrainian Olympian, genocide researchers and intersections

Voices Unite: Ukrainian Olympian, Genocide Experts, and Global Perspectives Collide

The helmet’s not political, but the IOC ban is San Francisco: Ukrainian…
Firefighter Andrew Jimenez appears in court in a suicide vest for the murder of his wife Mayra

Firefighter in Suicide Vest Faces Court for Shocking Murder Charge: The Andrew Jimenez Case

Colleagues of a cherished Los Angeles teacher, who was tragically beaten to…
Jewish students allege they were harassed at Olive & Oak Cafe near DePaul University campus in Lincoln Park, Chicago

Jewish Students Report Harassment at Olive & Oak Cafe Near DePaul University in Chicago’s Lincoln Park

In Chicago, a group of Jewish students claims they faced religious harassment…
Pro-ICE ads reminding Americans of ‘dangerous illegal immigrants’ Biden let in to run in swing states ahead of State of the Union 

Controversial Pro-ICE Ads Target ‘Dangerous Illegal Immigrants’ in Key Swing States Ahead of Biden’s State of the Union

An advertising campaign supporting ICE and highlighting the “dangerous” criminal illegal immigrants…
New Tahoe ski death as student found at Northstar

Tragic Ski Accident Claims Student’s Life at Northstar Resort in Tahoe

In a tragic development at a Lake Tahoe resort, the body of…
Second alleged Guthrie ransom deadline missed, sparking new theories from Bongino, former FBI agent and doctor

How Ring’s Neighbors App is Revolutionizing the Search for Missing Seniors: The Nancy Guthrie Case

According to a cybersecurity expert, the Ring ‘Neighbors’ app might play a…
Kim Jong Un deploys 50 new rocket launchers before major party congress

Kim Jong Un Unveils 50 Advanced Rocket Launchers Ahead of Key Party Congress

SEOUL, South Korea — On Thursday, North Korea announced that its leader,…
UK condemns 10-year espionage sentence for British couple in Iran

UK Criticizes Iran’s 10-Year Prison Sentence for British Couple Accused of Espionage

LONDON, Feb 19 (Reuters) – On Thursday, British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper…
NYC's most poop-filled areas revealed -- as dog waste complaints hit record highs

New Data Reveals NYC Neighborhoods with Highest Dog Waste Complaints Amid Record Surge

Complaints are mounting at an alarming rate. A sidewalk in New York…
South Carolina mother Leigh McAlister disappeared during church conference in Atlanta found at hospital

Missing South Carolina Mom Found Safe at Atlanta Hospital After Church Conference Disappearance

A South Carolina mother vanished under puzzling circumstances during a church conference…
Trump Hosts Inaugural 'Board of Peace' Meeting, Announces $10 Billion U.S. Contribution

Trump’s $10 Billion Peace Initiative: Unveiling the Groundbreaking ‘Board of Peace’ Meeting

On Thursday morning, President Trump convened the first meeting of the Board…
College student dies in tragic ski accident at Wisconsin resort, marking second death within a month

Tragic Skiing Incident Claims Second Student’s Life at Wisconsin Resort in One Month

A tragic ski accident claimed the life of a 20-year-old college student…