Chicago federal workers use lunch hour to protest ICE raids, citing safety
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Federal workers rallied Wednesday afternoon, demanding changes from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The workers want to see ICE raids end.

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

They feel working for the government is becoming dangerous.

Some federal workers spent lunch hour sharing concerns about working in proximity to ICE, as actions by ICE agents have drawn criticism and protests.

The group, represented by their unions, rallied on Federal Plaza against ICE actions.

They say working in federal buildings puts them at risk.

“The public is confusing us, and they don’t have confidence that they can safely interact with us,” stated Colin Smalley from the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

Recent arrests by ICE agents sparked protests in Chicago and other parts of the country. Some have become violent.

The arrests and deportations are a mandate from the Trump administration to get criminals out of the country.

While there are inquiries about who is being detained and the reasons for it, some federal government employees express concerns about being mistakenly identified by the public or even ICE agents.

“The fact that they’ve deported citizens has me terrified,” said Luis Antonio Flores, with American Federation of Labor, Local 704.

Flores said he and colleagues have been sent home early due to protests, and he says he’s concerned his ethnicity could make him a target.

“As someone with a Latino name and brown skin, it’s not unreasonable to worry that if they are arbitrarily detaining people to meet a quota, I might be picked up on my way to work, lunch, or home,” said Flores.

The lunch hour ended, and the workers returned back to their duties in their federal offices.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Blogger arrested for sharing anti-Hamas meme online, claims cops didn't know about October 7th horrors

Blogger Detained for Posting Anti-Hamas Meme, Alleges Police Unaware of October 7th Events

A blogger has blasted British police after they arrested him for sharing…
ICE in Chicago protest: Neurodivergent man among 4 charged after clash at Broadview ICE facility, supporters say

Chicago ICE Protest: Supporters Report Neurodivergent Man and 3 Others Charged Following Broadview Facility Incident

CHICAGO (WLS) — Four individuals appeared in court on Monday following a…
New temporary Illinois Secretary of State DMV to open in Orland Park Monday

Temporary Illinois DMV Secretary of State Facility Opening in Orland Park on Monday

ORLAND PARK, Ill. (WLS) — The Village of Orland Park opened a…
Turning Point, moving forward without Charlie Kirk, makes first return to Utah since his killing

Turning Point Moves Ahead Without Charlie Kirk, Visits Utah for the First Time Since His Death

LOGAN, Utah (AP) — Turning Point USA’s college tour is set to…
Drug task force seizes record-breaking 1 million pounds of cocaine, denying cartels and narco-terrorists $11B

Drug task force confiscates record 1 million pounds of cocaine, cutting off cartels and narco-terrorists from $11 billion

A Coast Guard crew member assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC…
Longtime customer shot at Jacksonville restaurant

Frequent Patron Injured in Shooting at Jacksonville Restaurant

A customer was shot during a weekend incident at Que Padre Mexican…
Man arrested after shooting woman at hotel

Suspect detained following hotel shooting incident involving woman

Police say Winthrop Deforest is charged with attempted murder in the second…
Plainfield murder-suicide: Ryan Heit shoots, kills wife, Jennifer, before taking own life on Burshire Court, Joliet police say

Tragic Incident in Plainfield: Ryan Heit Allegedly Kills Wife Jennifer Before Taking His Own Life, According to Joliet Police

According to Joliet police, a tragic incident occurred early Monday morning in…
Who, Me?! Hard Left Billionaire Financier George Soros Professes Total Innocence Amid DOJ Accusations

George Soros Denies Involvement in DOJ Allegations as He Faces Scrutiny

Hungarian-born billionaire financier George Soros is often likened to a James Bond…
Louisiana's governor asks for National Guard deployment to New Orleans and other cities

Governor of Louisiana Requests National Guard Assistance for New Orleans and Other Cities

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Republican governor of Louisiana has requested National…
Southport shooting: Woman identified by family as 1 victim of mass shooting at waterfront bar American Fish Company

Southport Incident: Family Identifies Woman Among Victims in Waterfront Bar Shooting at American Fish Company

SOUTHPORT, N.C. — A Southport, North Carolina, family confirmed the identity of…
China won't let Trump take Bagram Air Base back from the Taliban without a fight, expert warns

Expert Predicts: China Unlikely to Allow Trump to Reclaim Bagram Air Base from Taliban Without Challenge

President Donald Trump made the shocking announcement this month that the U.S.…