ICE Chicago’s Operation Midway Blitz: Protective Barriers Erected at Broadview Facility Following Demonstrations

BROWDVIEW, Ill. (WLS) — There is new fencing up outside a suburban ICE processing facility.

it comes after days of protests in Broadview against President Trump’s immigration crackdown in Chicago.

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Some of those protests have turned violent.

A small group of protesters lingered outside the Broadview Processing Center on Tuesday morning. Some claimed the fencing was installed around the facility during the night.

It’s disturbing,” protester Elias Cepeda said. “It’s another attempt to infringe on people’s rights to express themselves publicly.”

A little further down the street, barriers were placed to block traffic. Broadview police officers also remained in the area.

This comes days after clashes between protesters and federal agents.

Agents used white smoke and pepper pellets to disperse crowds as protesters blocked the entrance of the driveway.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that 16 protesters were arrested at the Broadview processing center, some for assaulting law enforcement officers.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security stated: “Today, DHS is extending the fencing around U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Broadview Processing Center following incidents where rioters and sanctuary politicians hindered law enforcement, hurled tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks, damaged vehicle tires, obstructed building access, and trespassed on private property.”

Demonstrators have expressed concerns over operation “Midway Blitz”, and have called on ICE to stay out of their communities.

The Trump administration says it’s targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal offenses.

Due to the fencing, federal agents are now using only one side of the street to enter and exit the facility.

Some protesters worry that this will now give them a limited line of sight as to how operations are being handled.