Federal law enforcement agents deployed pepper balls and tear gas during a tense standoff with anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters outside of Chicago on Friday. This confrontation occurred at an ICE processing center in Broadview, Illinois, a suburb of the city. The incident follows a deadly shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, two days prior, where a gunman killed one detainee and injured two others before taking his own life, according to authorities.
At least 50 protesters were present at the ICE processing center midday Friday, with two arrested, one of whom was found to be carrying a firearm. Video footage from the scene showed federal agents attempting to clear the protesters from the area, as the demonstrators tried to block vehicles from leaving. ICE officials told Fox News that the protesters were attempting to disrupt operations at the facility, which is currently being used as the main processing center for Operation Midway Blitz.
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Operation Midway Blitz would target criminal illegal aliens who have flocked to Chicago and Illinois due to the state’s sanctuary policies. The DHS statement criticized sanctuary politicians for demonizing federal law enforcement and placing a target on the backs of ICE agents. Following the Dallas shooting, DHS emphasized that anti-ICE rhetoric could cost lives, urging an end to such rhetoric before more innocent people are harmed.
The protesters are opposing the transfer of ICE detainees to out-of-state holding centers, according to local news reports. The recent clashes between protesters and ICE agents have led to multiple arrests, with over 16 individuals arrested in the previous week. DHS and ICE have condemned the violent clashes, with the Department of Homeland Security calling the protesters ‘rioters’ and accusing them of throwing tear gas cans, rocks, and bottles, as well, as engaging in vandalism such as slashing car tires and trespassing on private property.