Helicopters and chemicals: Immigration agents in Chicago are acting very aggressively

Chicago activists, residents and community leaders say increasingly harsh tactics used by federal immigration agents are fueling violence and increasing tensions in the third-largest city in the United States, writes Associated Press.

A helicopter assault on an apartment complex where people were peacefully sleeping; the use of chemical agents near a public school; and the handcuffing of a Chicago city council member in a hospital—this is just a partial list of the actions of immigration agents.

"They're the ones turning this place into a war zone," Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said on CNN on October 5. "They're using tear gas and smoke grenades, and it looks like a war is going on."

Last month, more than a thousand immigrants were arrested in the Chicago area following the launch of a new phase of a massive campaign to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration promised to deploy National Guard troops to bolster deportation operations.

On the subject: A US citizen is seeking $50 million in compensation for injuries caused by ICE agents during raids.

It should be noted that those detained included US citizens, legal immigrants, and children. Open, aggressive clashes are becoming increasingly common throughout the city of 2,7 million people.

Assault from helicopters

On October 5, activists and residents inspected an apartment building on Chicago's South Side where, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 37 immigrants were recently arrested. Governor J. Robert Pritzker called for an investigation into the incident.

While federal agents have primarily targeted areas with high immigrant populations, particularly Latinos, the operation, conducted early on the morning of September 30, took place in the South Shore neighborhood, which is predominantly African American and has recently become home to several asylum-seeking families.

Agents, using camouflaged trucks and a helicopter, surrounded the five-story building. NewsNation, invited to observe the operation, reported that agents "rappelled from Black Hawk helicopters on ropes." They then went door-to-door, waking the residents, and tying them up with zip ties.

Residents and representatives of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights said those tied up included children and U.S. citizens.

Rodrick Johnson, a U.S. citizen who was briefly detained, said agents broke down his door and zip-tied him.

"I asked if they had a warrant and asked for a lawyer," Johnson, 67, told the Chicago Sun-Times. "No one ever brought one."

Dixon Romero of Southside Together, an organization that helped affected residents, noticed that apartment doors were being knocked off their hinges.

"Everyone we spoke to felt like they were in danger," he said. "It's not normal. It's not right."

Governor Pritzker, a Democrat re-elected to a second term, ordered state agencies to investigate allegations of children being tied up and held separately from their parents. He stated that "military tactics should not be used against children." Several Democratic members of Congress from Illinois gathered at the scene of the incident on October 5, calling for an end to the immigration raids.

DHS officials stated that the operation targeted individuals associated with the Tren de Aragua gang. Without providing details about those detained or commenting on how the children were treated, the department said that "some of the individuals sought are suspected of drug and weapons trafficking, as well as immigration violations."

On October 4, Department Commissioner Kristi Noem posted a short, heavily edited video of the assault on social media.

Some residents were later released under electronic monitoring, but the fate of others remains unknown.

Tear gas and smoke bombs

Meanwhile, the use of chemical agents has increased, particularly in the past week. Initially, they were used against protesters, but now, the coalition reports, agents are also using them on city streets during immigration operations.

The hotline for reporting agent movements received over 800 calls on October 3. That day, activists reported that immigration agents had thrown a smoke grenade near a school in the Logan Square neighborhood. Following the incident, Funston Elementary School, located nearby, canceled outdoor activities.

That same day, City Councilwoman Jessie Fuentes was handcuffed at the hospital. She said she asked agents to produce a warrant for the man who broke his leg during the chase and was subsequently taken to the emergency room.

"Civil Immigration and Customs Enforcement (CIS) is operating in our neighborhoods like an occupying army," said State Representative Lillian Jimenez. "Helicopters hover over our homes, terrifying families and disturbing the peace of our communities. These shameful and illegal actions not only violate constitutional rights, but also attack a fundamental freedom—the right to live free from persecution and fear."

Immigration agents shot and killed a woman they said was armed and tried to run them over with a car after they found themselves "blocked by 10 cars." The woman and another person were charged with assault and obstructing federal officers. However, activists claim the agents caused the accident and illegally detained the woman, a U.S. citizen.

Noem justified the harsh methods by saying the operation was extremely dangerous for agents and that she threatened them with reprisals.

"This is an extremely dangerous situation," she said on Fox & Friends on October 5.

Legal standoff

Leaders of the Chicago suburb where an immigration processing center is located have filed a lawsuit against federal agents.

The village of Broadview has become the front line of this operation. The center in this community of 8 residents is used to process documents before immigrants are detained or deported.

Protests near the center occur almost daily and are often accompanied by arrests. Human rights organizations have condemned the excessive use of force by agents, and local authorities have launched three separate criminal investigations against federal officers.

Municipal officials demanded the federal government remove a two-meter-high fence, which they claim was "illegally installed" near the center building. On Friday, October 3, they filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking a temporary injunction and the immediate removal of the fence, which blocks access for firefighters.

"This fence poses an immediate threat to public safety," the lawsuit states.

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Additionally, a court ruling is expected on alleged violations of a 2022 agreement regulating immigration arrests in six states, including Illinois. Although the agreement expired in May, attorneys are seeking its extension and filed dozens of new complaints alleging violations last month.

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