Chicago officials decry ICE tactics in surprise detentions
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
People in handcuffs are led through a phalanx of Homeland Security officers and loaded into transport vans after they were taken into custody Wednesday in Chicago. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
At least 20 people were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Wednesday in the South Loop, advocates say.
- Elected officials and advocates tell Axios the detainees received text messages asking them to check in as part of a federal monitoring program that requires them to wear ankle monitors.
Why it matters: Chicago alders say masked ICE agents did not identify themselves nor inform attorneys why individuals were being detained or where they were going.
The other side: ICE sent a statement to NBC 5 saying the agency had "final orders of removal" signed by a judge for those detained.
- ICE did not respond to Axios' multiple requests for comment.
The big picture: After the people were separated from their lawyers at the 2245 S. Michigan Ave. administrative office, activists called supporters to gather outside the building, leading to clashes between protesters and agents.
- Elected officials on the scene included Alds. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd), Andre Vasquez (40th), Jessie Fuentes (26th) and Anthony Quezada (35th).
- Quezada says agents pushed him to the ground.
What they're saying: "They cannot be operating with that level of secrecy," Sigcho-Lopez tells Axios. "These people came in with no identification, pointing guns, wearing masks, shoving people to the ground, without giving any reason for why they were being detained. This was not safe. This was mayhem."
- "Using text messages to call people into ISAP [Intensive Supervision Appearance Program] facilities to arrest the exact immigrants who are demonstrating their commitment to the rule of law by complying with ICE's instructions runs counter to every claim the Trump Administration has made," Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Illinois) said in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The intrigue: Immigrant advocates The Resurrection Project noted that ICE agents brought a photographer with them during the action, suggesting the agency is, "turning our pain into political theater," according to a statement.
- "Today wasn't about public safety or law enforcement. It was about creating fear and confusion in our communities," the group said.
Zoom in: Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement Wednesday saying in part, "I condemn the reckless and dangerous escalation from ICE agents."
State of play: Chicago police officers were also at the scene, but according to spokesperson Tom Ahern, they were there for crowd control and were not cooperating with ICE.
- "No arrests were made by CPD and the crowd dispersed without incident," Ahern said in a statement.
Zoom out: Wednesday's incident came after ICE officers this week reportedly detained two people who worked at a Pilsen restaurant.
What's next: Sigcho-Lopez is calling for Johnson and Chicago City Council to hold emergency hearings to investigate how ICE operated Wednesday.
- "What we saw today was lawlessness," he said. "They cannot be operating in our city like that."