Broadview ICE clashes escalate after federal agents shoot woman, DHS says
DHS says clashes around the Broadview, Ill., ICE processing center have escalated during the Operation Midway Blitz after agents reported being "boxed in by 10 cars," were allegedly rammed and fired defensive shots that struck a female driver who was hospitalized; the FBI and Broadview police have opened investigations. The incidents — which included large protests, use of tear gas and pepper balls, dozens to hundreds of arrests (numbers disputed), seized firearms and sharp public disputes between federal and state officials — prompted criticism from local leaders accusing agents of excessive force.
Law Enforcement
Legal
Chicago
Government/Regulatory
Protests
Crime
Public Safety
Politics
Immigration/Crime
Homeland Security
U.S. News
Military
Law & Order
Government
Immigration
📌 Key Facts
- The Department of Homeland Security launched 'Operation Midway Blitz' on Sept. 8, 2025 in the Chicago area, describing the campaign as targeting the 'worst of the worst' and integrating Border Patrol-led actions (including agent Gregory Bovino) with ICE enforcement.
- DHS/ICE officials and commanders (including acting ERO chief Marcos Charles) have reported progressively large arrest totals tied to the operation—initially 400+, later reporting nearly 550, and DHS ultimately saying there were 'more than 1,000' arrests across Illinois—with roughly half the arrests described as targeted (criminal convictions, final removal orders, or other flags) and the rest collateral.
- Large, recurring protests have formed at the Broadview ICE processing center and elsewhere in Chicagoland (estimates ranging from dozens to ~250 people); federal officers used crowd-control munitions (tear gas, pepper balls and other less‑lethal rounds) and said protesters threw rocks, bottles, fireworks and even tear‑gas canisters back at officers, slashed tires, blocked access and trespassed.
- Tensions on Oct. 3–4 escalated to violent encounters: DHS says federal agents were 'boxed in by 10 cars', rammed while patrolling near Broadview, and opened fire, striking a female driver who was hospitalized; DHS also said one driver had a semiautomatic weapon and that the woman had been named in a CBP intelligence bulletin for doxxing agents. The FBI has opened an investigation related to violence against officers and obstruction, and local police opened a criminal probe into related incidents.
- Journalists and bystanders reported injuries and property impacts during demonstrations and crowd-control responses—most notably a CBS Chicago reporter said a pepper‑ball projectile fired from the direction of the ICE facility struck her truck and caused acute chemical exposure; Broadview police asked DHS for full cooperation in that investigation.
- DHS publicly released images and reported confiscations of firearms from people protesting at the ICE facility, and said an apparent explosive device was found outside the Chicago ICE facility; federal prosecutors (DOJ) have charged multiple people in connection with assaults or resistance against federal agents at Broadview, and ATF said an ATF agent was injured while assisting partners.
- The operation and Broadview clashes have produced sharp political conflict: DHS and ICE have criticized local officials and accused them of not assisting, ICE leadership exchanged letters with Broadview’s mayor, Secretary Kristi Noem visited operations in Chicago, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and other state and federal elected officials (including Sen. Tammy Duckworth) publicly condemned aspects of the federal tactics—Duckworth urged protesters to document encounters and called for oversight—while Pritzker said he was pressured over National Guard federalization and publicly demanded accountability.
- Media ride‑alongs and AP reporting describe predawn, tactically forceful arrests in suburbs (including boxed-in vehicle stops that produced collateral arrests), and ICE/Border Patrol officials defend use of 'appropriate' force amid what they describe as an 'uptick' in noncompliance attributed to activist rhetoric, creating ongoing disputes about tactics and oversight.
📰 Sources (26)
Transcript: Sen. Tammy Duckworth on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 5, 2025
New information:
- Sen. Duckworth on Oct. 5, 2025 reiterated and amplified criticism of federal immigration enforcement tactics in Chicago, calling them 'Gestapo tactics' and alleging aggressive treatment (zip-tying children, night raids) — statements that are on-record in the transcript.
- She urged protesters to remain peaceful and to 'tape everything' to document federal actions, providing explicit guidance to constituents and protesters in Chicago.
- Duckworth referenced the reported shooting of a Chicago woman in the Brighton Park area and questioned federal accounts, calling for documentation and oversight.
Feds shoot woman in Chicago suburb after allegedly being rammed, boxed in by cars
New information:
- Federal agents say they were "boxed in by 10 cars" and were rammed while patrolling near the Broadview ICE facility.
- DHS/ICE say agents opened fire and struck a female driver who was taken to a hospital; DHS alleges one of the boxed‑in drivers had a semiautomatic weapon.
- DHS claimed the woman was named in a CBP intelligence bulletin last week for doxxing agents; the FBI posted that it is investigating violence against officers and obstruction related to Broadview enforcement.
Pritzker says Trump administration intends to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members
New information:
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the Trump administration intends to federalize 300 Illinois National Guard members.
- Pritzker asserts he was given an ultimatum: call up state troops or the federal government will federalize them.
- The governor directly quoted the ultimatum and publicly refused to call up the Guard, calling the demand 'outrageous and un‑American.'
DHS says ICE agents in Chicago suburb 'boxed in by 10 cars' as tensions escalate
New information:
- DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said ICE agents were 'boxed in by 10 cars' while on patrol in Broadview, Illinois.
- McLaughlin reported one driver was armed with a semi-automatic weapon and that agents 'were forced to deploy their weapons and fire defensive shots' at an armed U.S. citizen.
- The armed woman is reportedly named in a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intelligence bulletin, per DHS.
Federal agents nab 1,000+ illegal aliens in major Illinois sweep: ‘Making the state safe again’
New information:
- DHS explicitly reported 'more than 1,000' arrests across Illinois tied to Operation Midway Blitz.
- The Fox News piece reproduces a DHS list naming multiple alleged arrestees (by name and alleged prior offenses), providing concrete examples the DHS release highlighted.
- The operation is said to have launched Sept. 8, 2025 'in honor of' Katie Abraham (as described in the article) — a specific origin/date detail not in the earlier, broader coverage.
- Direct quotation from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin declaring, 'Operation Midway Blitz is making Illinois safe again.'
DHS rips ‘dishonest, desperate’ Gen Z candidate who raged against Kristi Noem’s 'crimes’ at anti-ICE protest
New information:
- Names the protester and Illinois congressional candidate: Kat Abughazaleh, who publicly accused DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of 'crimes against humanity' at the Broadview protest.
- Provides an on‑the‑record DHS quote from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin calling the candidate 'dishonest, desperate and demonizing law enforcement' and accusing her of obstructing justice.
- Mentions the viral video context (an ICE agent shoving Abughazaleh on Sept. 19, 2025) and that Noem visited the facility during ongoing protests.
DHS Secretary Noem 'blocked' from bathroom at Illinois government building, as Pritzker feud heats up
New information:
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and her staff say they were denied access to the Village of Broadview Municipal Building while seeking a 'quick bathroom break'; video shows someone inside saying, 'No you cannot!'
- Broadview officials say Noem arrived unannounced seeking a meeting while Mayor Katrina Thompson was out of the building and that the mayor subsequently went to the ICE center to press for fence removal; DHS disputes the characterization and says the stop was only to use the restroom
- Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker publicly accused Noem of overseeing tactics that 'violated rights' and said she should face public accountability for enforcement actions in Illinois
Over a dozen arrested at anti-ICE protests in Chicago suburb
New information:
- Eyewitness account of roughly 250 anti‑ICE protesters outside the Broadview processing center on Oct. 3, 2025 and reporting that 'more than a dozen' people were arrested that day.
- On-scene use of crowd-control munitions described as pepper balls, tear gas and rubber bullets to clear crowds blocking federal operations.
- DOJ earlier announced (Sept. 29) five named defendants charged federally with assaulting or resisting federal agents in Broadview — Paul Ivery, Dana Briggs, Hubert Mazur, Ray Collins and Jocelyne Robledo — with allegations that two defendants had loaded firearms and one allegedly threatened to 'kill' agents.
- ATF Special Agent Christopher Amon is quoted saying an ATF agent was injured during assaults on federal partners at the facility and stressing ATF will work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold those responsible accountable.
ICE chief fires back at Chicago-area mayor, cites ‘violent rioters’ after weeks of Broadview unrest
New information:
- Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a follow-up letter to Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson criticizing her for 'heating up the rhetoric' and enabling agitators to escalate violence.
- ICE stated that in the 'past week alone' protesters have been arrested for assault and obstruction and that three arrested individuals were carrying loaded firearms to protest at the Broadview processing center.
- Mayor Katrina Thompson had sent a letter accusing ICE of 'making war' on her community and 'endangering nearby village residents'; ICE responded accusing her of 'distorting reality.'
- ICE alleges repeated requests for assistance from state and local law enforcement (including Broadview Police Department) went unanswered, forcing federal officers to take crowd-control measures (tear gas, pepper balls) to protect operations.
Investigation launched after feds shot pepper ball at CBS Chicago reporter's truck
New information:
- Broadview Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into the incident.
- Police Chief Thomas Mills issued a statement saying the department expects full cooperation from DHS in the probe.
- CBS reporter Asal Rezaei provided an on‑the‑record account that a masked ICE agent fired a pepper ball from the direction of the facility, striking her truck’s driver‑side panel and causing chemical exposure; she declined medical attention.
Things to know about federal law enforcement activity in Chicago, Portland, Memphis
New information:
- Provides broader context that dozens of armed federal agents (CBP/Border Patrol) patrolled downtown Chicago (Michigan Avenue, Chicago River) in full tactical gear during the same weekend;
- Names Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino among agents on downtown patrols and reports his comment that there were 'several arrests', plus local leaders’ strong public criticism (Mayor Johnson, Gov. Pritzker).
Investigation launched after feds shot pepper ball at CBS Chicago reporter's truck
New information:
- Broadview Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into an incident in which a pepper‑ball projectile fired from the direction of the ICE facility struck a CBS Chicago reporter's truck.
- Reporter Asal Rezaei reported acute chemical exposure (face burning, vomiting) after a pepper ball hit the driver's‑side panel; she declined medical attention at the scene.
- Police Chief Thomas Mills publicly requested full cooperation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the local criminal probe; DHS had not responded to CBS at time of reporting.
DHS releases images of firearms taken from Chicago anti-ICE protesters
New information:
- DHS publicly released images of firearms confiscated from protesters at the Chicago ICE detention facility.
- DHS said an investigation is underway after discovery of 'what appears to be' an explosive device outside the Chicago ICE facility.
- DHS wrote that '11 violent rioters were arrested last night in Chicago,' a higher arrest count than earlier reports tied to the Broadview demonstrations.
- Contextual linkage noted to Operation Midway Blitz and the recent Dallas ICE rooftop shooting in officials' public statements.
Chicago anti-ICE protesters block vehicles, get hit with tear gas and pepper balls
New information:
- Federal agents deployed pepper balls in addition to tear gas during the Sept. 26 Broadview protest.
- At least ~50 protesters were present during the midday demonstration.
- Two people were arrested at this demonstration, one reported to be carrying a firearm.
- Fox News ties the standoff directly to Operation Midway Blitz and references a contemporaneous DHS statement posted on X.
Trump officials slam blue state governor for ignoring chaotic anti-ICE ‘rioters’ disrupting operation
New information:
- DHS issued a Monday statement accusing Illinois authorities of failing to assist during a chaotic anti‑ICE protest at the Broadview processing facility, claiming calls for help went unanswered.
- Federal officers used tear gas and other less‑lethal measures; DHS says 16 'rioters' were arrested.
- DHS alleges protesters threw rocks, bottles, fireworks, and tear‑gas canisters back at officers, slashed tires, blocked facility access, and trespassed.
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s spokesperson Matt Hill denied obstruction, said the state did not receive multiple calls for assistance, and warned media to treat Trump administration claims with caution.
- DHS highlighted several detainees being processed as 'worst of the worst,' naming individuals with prior convictions including felony DUI, domestic violence, drug trafficking, and fentanyl distribution.
ICE denies using excessive force as it broadens immigration arrests in Chicago
New information:
- Updated tally: nearly 550 arrests since Operation Midway Blitz began Sept. 8, up from 400+ previously reported.
- ICE acting ERO head Marcos Charles says agents are using an 'appropriate' amount of force and blames an uptick in noncompliance on activist rhetoric.
- AP ride-along details a predawn Park Ridge stop resulting in two arrests, including a collateral arrest after officers boxed in a vehicle.
- AP notes a military deployment to Chicago 'has yet to materialize' amid broader enforcement activity.
ICE denies using excessive force as it broadens immigration arrests in Chicago
New information:
- AP ride-along details an early-morning Operation Midway Blitz action in a Chicago suburb where agents boxed in a vehicle, made a collateral arrest, and later arrested the primary target after dawn.
- Acting ERO chief Marcos Charles says there is an "uptick in people that are not compliant," attributing it to activist rhetoric, and asserts agents are using an "appropriate" amount of force.
- Chicago Ald. Andre Vasquez, who chairs the City Council’s immigrant and refugee rights committee, criticized ICE and blamed the administration for escalation.
- Article notes fears of a military deployment to Chicago have not materialized.
- AP cites activist-flagged incidents elsewhere (e.g., window-smashing videos, a San Diego restaurant confrontation, and a masked-arrest near Tufts) as context for claims of aggressive tactics.
Democratic congressional candidate thrown to ground during chaotic anti-ICE protest
New information:
- Video shows Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh shoved to the ground while blocking an ICE vehicle during a Broadview, IL protest.
- Local ABC7 reported three protesters were arrested outside the ICE facility and that officials deployed riot-control smoke to disperse crowds.
- Abughazaleh alleged agents used pepper balls and tear gas; DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused her of obstructing justice and seeking attention.
- Additional footage shows Abughazaleh immediately reapproaching agents after being pushed back.
More than 400 arrests made so far in Chicago area enforcement operation, top ICE official says
New information:
- ICE acting ERO chief Marcos Charles says more than 400 arrests have been made in the Chicago-area 'Midway Blitz' operation to date.
- Approximately 50%–60% of arrests are targeted (criminal convictions, final removal orders, or other flags); the remainder are collateral arrests.
- Charles said the campaign has no set end date: 'There’s not an end date in sight.'
- Operation launched Sept. 8 and involves other federal agencies assisting ICE; arrests cited include those made by partner agencies.
- Report notes two U.S. citizens were briefly detained this week and references a Sept. 12 fatal shooting by an ICE officer during a traffic stop where an officer was allegedly dragged.
- Confirms collateral arrests are again permitted under the Trump administration after being restricted under Biden.
Operation Midway Blitz commander rebuts Pritzker’s ‘crazy rhetoric,' warns it could lead to violence
New information:
- Operation Midway Blitz commander Gregory Bovino publicly rebutted Gov. JB Pritzker’s accusation that agents target people based on skin color or accent.
- Bovino warned that such 'crazy rhetoric' from elected officials can lead to violence against law enforcement.
- He said the operation has achieved 'great success' with 'several hundred' arrests in the Chicago area so far.
- Bovino emphasized agents target immigration-law violators and 'criminal illegal aliens,' not people based on race or language.
+ 6 more sources