Federal Agents Clash with Protesters at Chicago Immigration Facility

Sat Sep 27 2025 00:12:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Tensions escalate as federal agents use pepper balls and tear gas against demonstrators at the ICE building in Broadview, Illinois.

In a confrontation that reflects the ongoing disputes surrounding immigration policies in the U.S., federal agents clashed with protesters outside an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois. During the altercation, agents deployed pepper balls and tear gas after protesters attempted to block traffic. The situation escalated quickly, with demonstrators falling to the ground as chemical agents were used indiscriminately, raising questions about the tactics of law enforcement amidst rising tensions around immigration enforcement.

BROADVIEW, Ill. (AP) — Federal agents fired pepper balls and tear gas at protesters near an immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago on Friday.

The conflict over several hours is the latest pushback by federal authorities against protesters focused on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Broadview, about 12 miles west of Chicago, amid a surge of immigration enforcement that began early this month.

Agents repeatedly fired chemical agents toward protesters after some attempted to block a car from driving towards the ICE building. The pepper balls and tear gas canisters were deployed throughout the crowd, causing chaos as most stood away from the fence.

Protesters fell to the ground and fled as agents continued to fire, dispersing the group of dozens.

In the preceding weeks, demonstrators had also attempted to hinder vehicles from entering or exiting the yard beside the building. An added fence drove Friday’s protesters further from the site.

Earlier in the morning, a small group shouted slogans and rang bells at a part of the fence nearer to the building. Agents responded by firing the first blast of pepper balls at protesters who were tying ribbons with handwritten supportive messages for detainees on the fence, including slogans like No human is illegal and We stand with you! You are not illegal!

As tensions flared, protesters and agents exchanged insults when federal agents removed signs and flags from the fence surrounding the building.

Bushra Amiwala, a 27-year-old Skokie Board of Education official, reported being struck by pepper bullets while attaching notes to the fence, leading to coughing and breathing difficulties. They caught us so incredibly off guard, she stated, with remnants of the white powder sticking to her clothing. We literally were just tying notes on the wall.

Amiwala characterized the use of chemical agents as fully unprovoked. Village officials have expressed concerns regarding the illegally built fence, which they want removed due to security issues raised by the fire department. Despite these concerns, the fence remains in place.

Details of any arrests weren't immediately clear; federal officials confirmed multiple arrests occurred during previous protests at the same location, labeling those detained as rioters.