Protest at Broadview Calls for Release of Chicago Mother Detained by ICE at South Loop Check-in

CHICAGO (WLS) — Immigration groups are calling for the release of a Chicago mother who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement this week during a routine check-in with the immigration office.

Several white ICE vans transporting detainees departed from the Broadview Immigration Processing Center Friday afternoon. It remains uncertain where they are headed and whether Gladis Yolanda Chavez Pineda is among them. A long-time Chicago resident, she was one of several individuals detained by ICE this week during a regular check-in in the South Loop.

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“We have accompanied her to check-ins before. We’ve even entered the office with her previously. We didn’t have the opportunity to say goodbye with a hug this time. They took her inside, and she was not allowed to return,” said Nadia Singh, from Legal Aid.

It took two days for Chavez Pineda’s attorneys to locate her. ICE took her to the Broadview processing center, where she and other detainees were forced to sleep on the floor because the facility is not supposed to be an overnight facility.

“We were not allowed to give her a hug. We had to stand at least 10 feet back. She was in handcuffs. She wanted to give her appreciation. When she started speaking about her daughter, she did start crying,” Singh said.

Chavez Pineda came to the United States 10 years ago to give her daughter a better life. The 47-year-old was in the lengthy process of applying for asylum.

“Our office has represented Gladis since 2017, during which time we’ve complied with all requests provided to appear to several appointments, complied with certain surveillance requirements,” said AJ Johnson Reyes, with Legal Aid.

Surveillance requirements include an ankle bracket for electronic monitoring. Chavez Pineda does not have a criminal record, and is not considered an enforcement priority.

She is a member and activist for the organization Organized Communities Against Deportations, known as OCAD. The group and Illinois Coalition for Refugee Rights protested, demanding Chavez Pineda’s release Friday.

Chavez Pineda does have an order of removal against her. However, she is in the process of appealing it. Late Thursday night, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of deportation. But, her Chicago alderwoman and lawyers fear ICE may not comply.

“There is no due process, and everybody deserves due process under the Constitution. So, we’re just watching how this happened in front of our eyes,” 37th Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez said.

Lawyers say, under previous administrations, ICE officers were given more discretion when presented with court orders. Now, officers say all decisions are up to headquarters.