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* The Broadview ICE facility is in House Speaker Chris Welch’s district. He had earlier refused comment, but spoke out on Saturday…
…Adding… From the Speaker’s spokesperson Jon Maxson…
The Speaker knows this is difficult situation for community leaders who do not want this federal presence, but cannot control the decisions of the Trump Administration. In fact their concern is anything they say will only result in escalation of an already volatile situation. But federal agents tear-gassing people peacefully exercising their constitutional rights is unwarranted escalation. That undemocratic violence needs to be called out for what it is.
* From the Department of Homeland Security regarding Broadview…
Any allegations that ICE Broadview Processing Center is temporarily closing is FALSE. Since Friday, rioters and sanctuary politicians have obstructed and assaulted law enforcement. These rioters have thrown tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement, slashed tires of cars, blocked the entrance of the building, and trespassed on private property.
Police under JB Pritzker’s sanctuary jurisdiction refused to answer multiple calls for assistance.
The Prizker administration confirmed that neither Broadview nor Cook County have requested assistance from the Illinois State Police. They also released this statement…
The media needs to use extreme caution before reporting what the Trump Administration is saying given their record of lies, lack of transparency, and failure to coordinate with the state and local law enforcement. It’s completely false to suggest the state or local municipalities have been obstructing federal officials. The state has not received multiple calls for assistance from the federal government and would remind them the importance of coordinating with local law enforcement to protect public safety. Governor Pritzker has been clear that violence is unacceptable and everyone needs to follow the law, which includes federal agents respecting constitutional rights to peaceful protest.
* Back to the DHS statement…
So far, federal law enforcement arrested 16 rioters.
All of the people arrested during Friday’s protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in Broadview have been released.
Brad Thomson, a spokesperson for the National Lawyers Guild, confirmed that 10 protesters were arrested, but he could not say whether any of them had been charged.
Protesters were arrested during Friday’s demonstration after they clashed with federal immigration agents who fired pepper balls and launched tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
“Our legal observers witnessed federal agents using indiscriminate violence against demonstrators,” Thomson said. “Numerous people suffered physical injuries, including people who required treatment at the hospital.”
* More Sun-Times…
Among masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and fired-up protesters, Abraham Aguirre stood outside the ICE building in Broadview on Sunday with a red suitcase and dark duffel bag.
He believed his cousin was inside.
Aguirre knocked on the boarded-up windows and handed off the provisions: clothes, personal items, toiletries.
“Not scared, not nervous, but I feel a deep sense of injustice,” Aguirre said in Spanish through a translator.
* Sen. Graciela Guzmán also went to the facility looking for people. Sun-Times…
Illinois State Sen. Graciela Guzmán (20th District) used a bullhorn to try to communicate with six federal officers who looked down on the protesters from atop the Broadview facility.
“I am asking for the release of my two constituents, as well as all of the folks that you have detained,” Guzmán said as dozens of protesters gathered behind her. “As a reminder, they are U.S. citizens exerting their freedom of speech as well as the right to protest.”
“Could I just ask for a conversation with someone one-on-one?” she asked. “That’s all I’m asking for, respectfully. Please advise.”
Guzmán repeated the request several times.
The officers, battle-clad and masked, showed no interest. And, over the next half-hour, there was no response from anyone inside the building.
* Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton showed up Friday as well…
This morning at the Broadview ICE facility, people were singing, praying, and linking arms for their neighbors. DHS responded with tear gas and throwing protesters on the pavement. This is Trump’s attempt at control and intimidation, but our courage and community are louder. pic.twitter.com/Jzlip2esL4
— Juliana Stratton (@JulianaStratton) September 19, 2025
* 9th Congressional District candidate Kat Abughazaleh had a much different experience…
This is what it looks like when ICE violates our First Amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/EneI3BAkPF
— Kat Abughazaleh (@KatAbughazaleh) September 19, 2025
* Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, also a CD9 candidate, was gassed…
we. will. not. be. intimidated. pic.twitter.com/ZLrf07EFPA
— Daniel Biss (@DanielBiss) September 19, 2025
Block Club Chicago…
At least one officer was seen with his gun unholstered and out at his side while he stood near the protesters.
“I’ve seen shocking violence,” said Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, who was out with protesters. “I mean, throwing people to the ground, pepper balls, tear gas. … It seems gratuitous, right? They’re trying to intimidate. They’ve got guys up there on the roof with cameras.
* Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle…
The recent incidents at the ICE facility in Broadview are deeply troubling. We have seen reports of people exercising their First Amendment rights being tear gassed, pushed, threatened and pepper sprayed by masked federal agents. Members of the press were also targeted with tear gas.
We have passed a resolution calling out ICE’s callous tactics: stopping people in unmarked cars, refusing to identify themselves, hiding their faces with masks and terrorizing our communities. These tactics are unlawful, they are dangerous and have already cost the life of Silverio Villegas Gonzáles.
Let me be clear: I stand firmly with the residents of Cook County who have organized to support, inform and speak out against these tactics and strongly condemn these violent actions on our residents.
* But not everyone is supporting the protests. Village of Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson focused her ire on Mayor Biss…
Evanston Mayor and congressional candidate Daniel Biss’ repeated appearances and provocations at the ICE facility in the Village of Broadview, with his videographer and photographer in tow, are helping to fuel the agitation of an already tense situation, which could endanger our police officers, fire fighters, demonstrators themselves, and the surrounding Proviso Township communities. He has lacked the decency and respect to call me or to notify my office when he comes to my community to engage in provocative campaign activities at the ICE facility. He should know better. He’s a mayor. Broadview would be better served by the presence of Evanston police officers helping to bolster our small force to protect demonstrators rather than a candidate creating Instagram videos and giving media interviews boosting his campaign. This is not the leadership that we need in Congress.
No mention of anyone else who was there.
Biss’ response…
The only people endangered right now are our neighbors being abducted off the street and the peaceful protestors being tear gassed by masked federal agents. I encourage the mayor of Broadview to join the many protestors, advocates, and elected leaders in standing up to ICE – instead of facilitating their illegal, immoral, and dangerous tactics.
* Another person who believes the protesters are doing more harm than good, via ABC 7…
Ana Nikolic, with the International Chaplain Alliance, believes that some protesters are making it more difficult for families to get information from the Broadview Processing Center.
She said she’s been there every day since Wednesday, trying to get an update on the status of someone who was detained for a family she’s helping.
She was outside the facility on Friday when protesters blocked the entrance of the driveway and white smoke and pepper bullets were deployed to disperse the crowd.
“The big challenge with protesters attacking ICE is that they have closed the doors for lawyers, closed the doors for families, closed the doors for ministers, for chaplains like me,” Nikolic said. “Because if you’re behind me, they are not going open the door….so when they see you’re not with them, of course they will open the door and help you as much as they can.”
* Meanwhile, in Naperville…
Neighbors told [homeowner Bobby Fischer] masked agents, who they believe to be ICE, arrived at his Naperville home around noon and targeted the crew working on his roof.
“They had to jump off the roof, because to trap them, the agents knocked down the ladders so they could not leave the roof and basically they said either jump or stay up there,” Fischer said.
Fischer said five of the six crew members jumped down and ran. He said one of his neighbors told him one of the crew members injured his leg before he was detained.
What shocked Fischer the most was how agents allegedly detained another crew member who ran out of fear.
“My neighbors witnessed two agents chasing one guy down the street in a residential area, guns drawn,” Fischer said. “A roofer running for his life.”
Also…
Fischer later learned from the owner of the company that all five of the detained workers were documented.
“This is just people trying to make a living and you’re harming us, the homeowners,” Fischer said. “This isn’t a business, this isn’t you raided a factory. This is a home that you surrounded with guns. I have children I don’t want that here. There was no reason for it to be here.”
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:13 pm
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Sigh. My aunt is a Catholic nun. She and her sisters have been going to Broadview for years, mostly on Fridays, when deportations occur. They pray quietly that migrants will be treated with dignity and justice.
Sometimes silent protests are the better route. The nuns don’t bring cameras, they don’t block vehicles, they don’t shout at police or ICE personnel. They are there to witness and pray.
We all could learn a lot from them.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:21 pm
I would be more impressed if these candidates rushing and hoping to be arrested would just hold a press conference and donate a large chunk of their campaign cash to the ACLU or an immigrant rights organization
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:24 pm
=== Since Friday, rioters and sanctuary politicians have obstructed and assaulted law enforcement. These rioters have thrown tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement, slashed tires of cars, blocked the entrance of the building, and trespassed on private property. ===
This was no peaceful protest. Multiple video recordings confirm protestors acting lawlessly blocking vehicles. Political opportunists like Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, Skokie School Board Member Bushra Amiwala and Kat Abughazaleh are political opportunists hoping to fundraise off their presence for their respective 9th Congressional District campaigns.
It’s time for President Trump to call in the National Guard and restore order. People can peacefully protest without trying to obstruct federal agents doing their jobs.
Comment by John Lopez Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:29 pm
Dan Biss’ whole brand is performative so this tracks
Comment by Snave Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:38 pm
Goernor Pritzker and his team are usually really good about reading the primary electorate. They offered the distinction as “Team Fight” or, basically, not fighting. And the Governor is one of the national leaders of Team Fight. The demonstrations are clearly in the “fight” half of that division and likely where the majority of the Democratic electorate are these days.
It is probably also the better tactic to use against an increasingly lawless federal administration — peaceful and non-violent but not simply allowing rights and freedoms of people to be taken away.
The challenge is to also somehow convey that this isn’t a fight among Americans to avoid stoking the false narrative of an existential struggle that justifies ever more extreme positions and tactics. And help reach that compromise and civility so the vast majority of Americans who reject violence and retribution as government policy can serve as the ultimate check on the worst excesses of the Trump Administration. Not easy to do when fighting, but that’s the very hard political job the times are calling for.
Comment by Dan Johnson Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:41 pm
==Sometimes silent protests are the better route.==
Why? What results have the nuns’ prayers achieved that makes their protests “better”?
Comment by charles in charge Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:44 pm
I am a patriotic American and love my country. I am a veteran, and I took the oath to defend the constitution.
As I read and hear the news about what this administration is doing, I am appalled and saddened. I am now 100% convinced our country and our three branches of government at the federal level is being run by an authoritarian regime. Trump is acting with impunity. The Supreme Court has handed down decisions granting the president almost complete immunity, supportive of the administration’s violation of constitutional rights, for example by allowing racial profiling, and reversing other long held precedents in furtherance of the president’s consolidation of power in the executive branch. Congress has done nothing to reign in the executive branch either. By passing legislation the president supports and doing nothing to limit his actions, Congress has also delegated their authority to the executive branch.
Comment by Steve Polite Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:46 pm
47th Ward, I’m not sure you’re making the argument you think you are. Years of silent prayer and yet here we are. Looks like that didn’t work either.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:47 pm
Lol, waiting for Operation Midway Blitz to occur and news media to finally pay attention is what motivates politicians. Coverage follows conflict. Let’s see if Biss et al have better luck than the nuns.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:55 pm
for myself, I’m not interested in voting for any Dem candidate unless they are willing to engage in actions like those of Guzmán, Biss and Abughazaleh.
Comment by pc Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:56 pm
Mayor Katrina Thompson isn’t wrong about Biss and what he could actually do to help.
= “This is just people trying to make a living and you’re harming us, the homeowners,” Fischer said. “This isn’t a business, this isn’t you raided a factory. This is a home that you surrounded with guns. I have children I don’t want that here. There was no reason for it to be here.”=
Insane that ICE would do this. Their whole tactical get up is sickening. Playing pretend army man. Maga is all aboput the cosplay.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 1:59 pm
-Dan Biss’ whole brand is performative so this tracks-
Kat seems much more authentic. Give Kat her due.
Comment by Steve Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:01 pm
The first amendment guarantees the right to free speech and peaceful assembly
Impeding and assaulting federal law enforcement is not protected
These elected officials and candidates should know the difference
Comment by Harrison Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:06 pm
==Sometimes silent protests are the better route==
Sure, sometimes. And then when that doesn’t work, you try something else and make some noise doing it.
I’m grateful the nuns were out there, but I never heard about it. I sure heard about this.
Comment by Who else Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:08 pm
I don’t know. Maybe I’d feel better if these ICE officers were dresses as well you know, officers.
Comment by localgovhero Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:19 pm
==Fischer later learned from the owner of the company that all five of the detained workers were documented.==
Has this been verified? The ICE actions are outrageous, but even more so if they are targeting people working on roofs without specific knowledge they are not documented.
Comment by SJOH Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:25 pm
== Kat seems much more authentic. ==
LOL
Comment by Alton Sinkhole Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:31 pm
Protester tactics is always a big debate. Certainly, violence is unacceptable and counterproductive by protesters. I would love for silent prayer to be an effective method, but sadly not in even close in the age of MAGA. It needs to be loud and assertive.
On Biss, of course doing what candidates do. Regarding mayoral courtesy, it’s expected by mayors taking official actions affecting other mayoral jurisdictions. Whether candidates have that obligation regarding appearances at events sponsored by others would be nice (especially to mayors with whom you have a good relationship or friendship). If Mayor Thompson thinks her police need assistance, she should have already made a request for assistance. Perhaps even call Evanston for help. (Their mayor seems to be close by.)
=== extreme caution before reporting what the Trump Administration is saying given their record of lies, lack of transparency ===
This will be carved in granite for the history museum exhibit on the attack on American democracy.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:52 pm
What is the end game here?
Winning elections or catering to the progressive base of the party?
CNN polling has Republicans plus 13 on immigration and their approval on crime has increased from plus 13 to plus 22
Comment by Harrison Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 2:58 pm
=Impeding and assaulting federal law enforcement is not protected=
Where was the assault on this faux paramilitary force in Broadview? It is not visible in any of the videos.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Sep 22, 25 @ 3:10 pm