The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is criticizing Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker for failing to respond to a chaotic anti-ICE protest in a Chicago suburb that led to the use of tear gas and non-lethal measures by federal authorities. In a Monday statement, DHS accused Pritzker’s local law enforcement of refusing to assist in the situation, claiming they ‘under JB Pritzker’s sanctuary jurisdiction refused to answer multiple calls for assistance.’ The agency described the protest as a disruption of an operation targeting ‘some of the worst of the worst—including criminals convicted of drug trafficking, domestic abuse, drinking and driving, and assault,’ who were being processed at the facility.
Fox News Digital reported that federal officials clashed with anti-ICE protesters who were blocking ICE vehicles from accessing a processing facility in Broadview, Illinois. DHS labeled the protesters ‘rioters,’ noting that 16 individuals have been arrested so far. The agency described the protesters as having obstructed law enforcement, thrown tear gas cans, rocks, and bottles, slashed tires, blocked building entrances, trespassed on private property, and assaulted federal agents. The incident underscores the tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies, with critics accusing the state of hindering official operations.
Responding to the allegations, Matt Hill, a spokesperson for Pritzker, called the claims ‘completely false’ and asserted that federal officials had not provided multiple calls for assistance. Hill emphasized the importance of local law enforcement’s role in protecting public safety while reiterating the state’s commitment to the rule of law and constitutional rights. He further criticized the media for potentially amplifying the Trump administration’s allegations without proper verification, suggesting a broader context of political polarization around immigration enforcement.
Among those being processed at the facility were several individuals with criminal records, including Andres Ventura-Uvaldo, previously arrested for felony DUI and domestic violence, and Alberto Algeria Barron, a Mexican national with a history of domestic battery convictions. The DHS also cited other alleged drug traffickers and violent offenders being processed at the facility, emphasizing that the rioters were opposing the removal of these ‘heinous criminals’ from Illinois streets. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the protesters, stating that they were fighting to keep dangerous individuals like rapists, murderers, and child predators free. She noted the increased risks faced by ICE officers, citing a more than 1,000 percent increase in assaults during operations in Illinois.
While the administration has consistently called for stronger federal enforcement, the incident raised questions about the effectiveness of state and local cooperation in such high-stakes situations. It also reignited debates about the impact of sanctuary policies and the ethical challenges of immigration enforcement in a politically divided environment. The events highlight the ongoing tensions between federal authority and state autonomy, with both sides accusing each other of undermining public safety and legal processes.