On Chicago’s Far South Side, tensions flared as community leaders and politicians voiced their concerns about actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The events of Tuesday, which saw the use of chemical agents and led to several arrests, have sparked significant backlash.
Representatives from various organizations, including the 10th Ward Rapid Response, Alliance of the Southeast, and the Chicago Teachers Union, gathered for a press conference at the United Workers’ Center. They criticized the Department of Homeland Security’s handling of the situation.
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The controversy began on Tuesday when federal agents resorted to using tear gas to disperse protestors near the intersection of 105th Street and Avenue N. The protestors had assembled in opposition to recent federal actions.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, some individuals in the crowd threw eggs at the agents, escalating the tense situation.
The incident further escalated with a car chase, culminating in a collision involving Border Patrol agents and another vehicle. Authorities claim the driver involved in the chase was residing in the U.S. illegally.
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Officials from DHS reported that the driver had intentionally rammed into a DHS vehicle during the pursuit.
Federal officials said Luis Gerardo Pirela-Ramirez was driving and was arrested for assault on a federal agent. Yonder Enrique Tenefe-Perez was arrested as an accessory, DHS said.
The out-of-control situation also led to the arrest of a 15-year-old boy, who says he was tackled and arrested by agents, even though he says he is an American citizen. He was later released.
Attorneys say he was effectively “disappeared” for five hours.
“We do not welcome ICE in the Southeast Side of Chicago, the south suburbs of Chicago, the entire city of Chicago, as we will continue to organize and advocate for those who are affected, as we see not only, but also people of color are being racially profiled by unjust actions,” said Ana Guajardo of United Workers’ Center.
“The Trump administration continues to lie and claims only to be targeting criminals. But we have seen hardworking people, landscapers, construction workers and street vendors specifically targeted,” said Moises Moreno of 10th Ward Rapid Response. “Our community is a united community bound by a longstanding tradition of resistance and cultural vibrancy.”
Gov. JB Pritzker pushed back on the federal immigration crackdown in Chicago, saying ICE is “creating mayhem.”
Pritzker believes ICE may have violated the temporary restraining order that was issued last week, which prohibits the use of chemical agents on demonstrators.
The governor is now also troubled by how long DHS plans to be in the Chicago area.
Pritzker was in Minooka Wednesday for an announcement on electric trains, and he called on ICE to back off.
“They’re the ones who are tossing tear gas when people are peacefully protesting. ICE is the one who’s going into neighborhoods where they, frankly, are causing fear among people who live in those neighborhoods, work in those neighborhoods,” he said.
A judge last week granted a TRO banning the use of riot control munitions like tear gas and pepper bullets, which were used against demonstrators and journalists at the Broadview ICE facility.
“And so I know that we’re, you know, everybody’s looking into that question, and no doubt the private attorneys that have brought that case might be going back into court in order to make sure that those rules are enforced upon ICE,” Pritzker said.
They did previously defend their use of tear gas Tuesday, writing in part, “This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of illegal aliens violently resisting arrest and agitators and criminals ramming cars into our law enforcement officers.”
DHS says two people, who they allege are living in the U.S. without legal permission, were arrested on Tuesday.
A DHS spokesperson said claims that Customs and Border Protection kidnapped a U.S. citizen are false, saying, “Here are the facts: immediately following illegal aliens ramming law enforcement with their vehicle, which resulted in the arrest of two illegal aliens from Venezuela, a violent mob began surround law enforcement. Among them, a U.S. citizen teenager threw eggs and hit a CBP Officer in the head. Agents observed him gathering rocks after objects had already been thrown at law enforcement officers. The individual was arrested for the assault and taken to the FBI Field Office in Chicago where he freely admitted without questioning to throwing eggs at agents. His attorney met with him at the field office, and he was released without charges.
“Our officers are facing a surge in assaults against them-without pay during the Democrats’ shutdown-as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members. Secretary Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. CBP and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Some residents Wednesday were fearful to leave their homes.
“He saw a man with a big rifle right in front of his house. He immediately went back inside because he said, ‘What are we under attack? Is this a war? What’s happening?’” said Maricela Estrada, with United Workers’ Center.
Estrada and the United Workers’ Center were canvassing the neighborhood Wednesday, in an effort to check on those who live there, make sure they understand they have rights and how to respond when ICE and Border Patrol enter their neighborhood.
“It is very important that we stay calm, that we not, do not engage with them, or do we not get provoked by, you know, their tactics,” Estrada said. “We all seek the same thing that everybody in this country has come here, you know, looking for freedom. Better opportunities to be able to, you know, sustain your family, to be able to work and live freely and be free of violence.”
“It doesn’t hit you like a reality kind of thing, you know? Like, that’s really them. It’s happening here, like in your neighborhood,” one resident said.
The young man preferred to stay anonymous. He said he was home Tuesday. But unlike many of his neighbors who flocked to the scene, he stayed inside, fearing for his safety.
“When they threw the tear gas, or the smoke or whatever they threw, it was so much that they made it down this way. And I had cops right here just choking,” the resident said. “It feels like they’re just, really going after anybody that looks brown, or just interferes, you know. It just feels like they’re just really after us.”
Also in Springfield Wednesday, leading Democrats were praising the move by Cook County to ban ICE from enforcing civil warrants at courthouses. It’s something that could be expanded statewide during the veto session.
“Because what’s happening with these masked ICE agents in courthouses and territories around courthouses is unacceptable. People are afraid to go to court. They’re afraid to comply with subpoenas. We can’t allow that,” House Speaker state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch said.
And while the use of the National Guard remains on hold pending another court TRO, a source has confirmed that DHS has informed Naval Station Great Lakes that it will be extending its use of the base for immigration enforcement through the end of the year.
“All I can say is that we’ve got to bring an end to this. The federal government and Donald Trump need to recognize that this is not the way that you do immigration enforcement,” Pritzker said.
The Trump administration has repeatedly insisted it is targeting the so-called worst as part of Operation Midway Blitz. But that has not always been the case.
