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CHICAGO — A renewed push for remote learning in Chicago Public Schools has emerged, driven by recent immigration enforcement activities in the city.
The proposal for e-learning gained traction following the detention of a 17-year-old student by federal authorities in the Little Village neighborhood.
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This incident, along with other reported encounters between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and students near schools, has sparked community concern.
The teenager was arrested on Thursday during a protest against ICE operations at the intersection of 26th and Whipple in Little Village.
He was participating in the demonstration as he made his way to Benito Juarez Community Academy in Pilsen. The student was subsequently released without facing any charges.
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The teen joined the demonstration while on his way to school at Benito Juarez Community Academy in Pilsen. He was later released without charges.
Fearing for student safety, emotions ran high at a CPS board meeting.
Board members say some CPS parents have been pitching for an e-learning option for students at risk, so they can safely stay home during the immigration crackdown.
“I marked a junior student absent, not because that student was sick… it was because ICE had snatched him up on his way to school,” Benito Juarez Community Academy teacher Liz Winfield said. “It’s a sense of unease. It’s a sense of anger and frustration. It’s a lot of students calling in, or parents calling in saying, ‘I don’t feel safe.’”
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“Our parents are asking for remote learning if possible,” board member Emma Lozano said. “It is an emergency. Period. This is an emergency right now. So we need to figure that out whether we go to the governor all together, we write a letter, we do what we have to do, we march, we do everything, but it is an emergency right now.”
The Benito Juarez principal told families in a statement, “Our staff is well-versed in the proper protocols for keeping our students and school community safe in any event involving federal law enforcement.”
CPS has also enhanced its 24-7 Student Safety Center, to better support schools and families amid increased federal activity across the city.
But as far as e-learning, the Interim CPS CEO Macquline King says the decision would have to come from the governor. She said Thursday night schools are the safest place for students to be.
ABC7 has not gotten a response from the governor’s office.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement, “On October 23, 2025, Border Patrol Agents conducted enforcement operations near 27th and Whipple Ave. A large crowd of 75 to 100 rioters surrounded law enforcement who set up a perimeter after agents were boxed in by a large box truck. Rioters then shot at agents with commercial artillery shell fireworks.
“A Border Patrol transport van carrying illegal aliens attempting to get to the safety of the perimeter was then attacked. Border Patrol agents were able to secure the van and get it into the perimeter. The mob of rioters grew more hostile and violent, advancing toward agents and began throwing rocks and other objects at agents, including one that struck Chief Greg Bovino in the head.
“Border Patrol agents repeated multiple warnings to back up and that chemical agents would be deployed if warnings were ignored. Riot control measures were deployed, including by Chief Bovino, and arrests were made. Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public.”
