Chicago-area ICE arrests challenged in court as 'unlawful,' Department of Justice contends enforcement follows US law
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team got a closer look at what immigrant advocates say are illegal immigration arrests in the Chicago area.

The I-Team was in federal court concerning the ordeal of a family from the Chicago area, who remain anxiously waiting for the release of their loved one from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detention.

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

Abel Orozco was apprehended by ICE in January under circumstances that his legal representatives argue were unlawful. This arrest is part of a broader initiative where 24 other individuals were similarly detained due to heightened ICE enforcement activities.

Orozco, who is a father, husband, and undocumented immigrant, stands as the sole plaintiff in the “Castanon Nava” settlement lawsuit, a class action against the federal government. Despite being part of this case, he remains in detention, with his attorneys asserting that ICE violated both the law and a 2022 settlement agreement by arresting him without a prior warrant.

“Abel Orozco, he’s been here 30 years, owns his own business,” said Mark Fleming with the National Immigrant Justice Center. ‘As he’s in custody, his wife is battling breast cancer, and the family is potentially going to lose their home in foreclosure. If these are the worst of the worst. We’re in trouble as a country.”

The I-Team was in Northern District Federal Court on Friday as plaintiffs and the U.S. Department of Justice argued their case in front of the Honorable Jeffery Cummings, who said that there are, “Many things troubling me about these situations.”

Under the 2022 agreement, to arrest someone without a warrant ICE agents need to meet two criteria: Is there probable cause to believe someone is in the US illegally, and are they also a flight risk, a requirement immigrant advocates say is being flouted.

“We’ve been talking to hundreds of people being taken from our neighborhoods in similar ways,” said Xanat Sobrevilla with Organized Communities Against Deportations.

Lawyers for the Justice Department say warrants were eventually obtained in many of these arrests and in some cases, it may be burdensome to assess flight risk on the spot. The judge said, “We don’t know the magnitude of this problem” “it’s impossible to tell”

Attorneys say the Feds are still holding Orozco because he has a decades-old removal order while many others have been released on bond.

“Mr. Orozco decided, very fearfully, decided to go back to Mexico to visit with his father, who had had a massive stroke,” Fleming said. “And the reason he had done it is because he had missed the death of his mom, so he took that step. Now the country is punishing him, punishing his family.”

The government maintained in court Friday that all of the arrests were lawful and did not violate the settlement agreement.

This case is ongoing and the judge made no ruling Friday, but it has major implications to how ICE conducts its arrests at a time where high-profile enforcement is a major priority for President Donald Trump.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
ted cruz, eric johnson, daniel comeaux speaks during conference

Dallas Mayor Criticizes Police Chief’s Solo Move to Turn Down $25M ICE Grant, Sparking Controversy

In Dallas, a debate has erupted among city leaders over the role…
Riverside Church responds to Pride flag vandalism with even more flags

Riverside Church Amplifies Support with Increased Pride Flags Following Vandalism Incident

On October 20, a distressing incident occurred at Riverside Church located at…
A timeline of US attacks off South America and what Congress has had to say

Exploring the Chronology of U.S. Military Actions off South America: Congressional Insights and Reactions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Over the past two months, President Donald Trump and…
A GIF of a strike on a

Hegseth Announces U.S. Strike in Eastern Pacific Aimed at Suspected Narco-Traffickers

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the U.S. military has…
Bodycam video shows New York police officers rescue choking 10-month-old baby in Corona, Queens

Watch: Heroic NYPD Officers Save Choking Infant in Queens with Quick Response

In Corona, Queens, a 10-month-old infant’s life was saved by the quick…
Kim Iversen Highlights Assault Allegations in Giuffre’s Memoir

Kim Iversen Sheds Light on Explosive Assault Allegations in Virginia Giuffre’s Revealing Memoir

During a recent episode of The Kim Iversen Show, independent journalist Kim Iversen…
Immigrant rights group calls for removing pregnant women from detention

Advocacy Group Urges Release of Expectant Mothers from Detention Facilities

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Pregnant women detained by U.S. immigration authorities…
Dad finds 13-year-old son dead after 200-foot fall from bluff inside popular National Park site

Tragic National Park Accident: Father Discovers Son’s Fatal 200-Foot Fall

In a heart-wrenching incident in Arkansas over the weekend, a father discovered…
Chicago teacher accused of mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination portrayed as victim by school principal

Chicago Educator Allegedly Mocks Charlie Kirk Assassination, School Principal Defends Her Actions

The principal of a Chicago elementary school appeared to frame a controversial…
New York City ICE raid nets 9 arrests of illegal aliens from West Africa, 4 protesters also arrested

NYC ICE Operation: 9 West African Nationals Arrested, 4 Protesters Detained Amid Immigration Crackdown

The bustling streets of New York City’s Chinatown became the focal point…
Luigi Mangione claims he was beaten by seven 'ladyboys' in Thailand months before CEO killing: report

Shocking Twist: Luigi Mangione Alleges Assault by ‘Ladyboys’ in Thailand Before High-Profile CEO Murder

Luigi Mangione, once a promising Ivy League student, is now embroiled in…
Former mayor stabbed outside blue state business, suspect with multiple arrests charged

Ex-Mayor Stabbed Outside Business in Blue State: Repeat Offender Charged in High-Profile Incident

A former Massachusetts mayor sustained injuries from a stabbing incident outside his…