Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers confronted protesters outside the Broadview Processing Center in Chicago on Friday as part of a broader wave of demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement.
The confrontation came during the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” an initiative aimed at targeting and removing criminal illegal aliens in the Chicago area.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), protesters attempted to block ICE vehicles from entering and leaving the facility, while some participants slashed tires on federal vehicles.
ICE officers deployed gas canisters after demonstrators pushed past protest lines and sought to obstruct federal agents. Several arrests were made during the clashes.
Video from the scene showed protesters confronting ICE officers and attempting to hamper their movements around the facility.
Federal forces just tear gassed myself and the other peaceful protestors here at the Broadview ICE facility. This is a terrifying escalation, but we will not back down. pic.twitter.com/15VvI6jZE8
— Daniel Biss (@DanielBiss) September 19, 2025
NewsNation confirmed that at least one federal vehicle had its tires slashed during the demonstration.
NOW: Anti-ICE protesters slash the tire of a government vehicle as it enters an immigration facility outside Chicago.
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) September 19, 2025
More: https://t.co/SdLMjteRza @AliBradleyTV pic.twitter.com/tUDitSj7aO
In a statement provided to Breitbart News, DHS said, “These riots outside the ICE Broadview Processing Center and attacks on ICE officers come after Democrat politicians, including Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, have villainized and demonized ICE law enforcement.”
The agency said the protest escalated to the point that federal law enforcement had to intervene without assistance from local police.
“Early this morning, over a hundred rioters surrounded the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Broadview Processing Center—rioters assaulted law enforcement, threw tear gas cans, 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. So far, federal law enforcement arrested three rioters,” DHS said.
The department also noted that ICE officers have reported a more than 1,000 percent increase in assaults against them in recent weeks.
One of those arrested was Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois’ Ninth District.
Abughazaleh, a Palestinian activist and former Media Matters employee, moved from Washington, D.C., to Chicago last year in order to run for the seat currently held by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).
Video from the protest showed Abughazaleh being forced to the ground by ICE officers as she attempted to approach federal vehicles.
Illinois Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh in the mask (D) just got BODIED SLAMMED by ICE after trying to IMPEDE with them. pic.twitter.com/RILw259JMV
— hernando arce (@hernandoarce) September 19, 2025
Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez confirmed to reporters that he was among those who joined the protest outside the Broadview facility.
Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez proudly tells the News he attempted to block an ICE vehicle during a riot outside the city.
— johnny maga (@_johnnymaga) September 19, 2025
This is an elected official admitting to a federal crime. Prosecute him immediately. pic.twitter.com/xhVlAT65cJ
DHS said vans were observed arriving at the site throughout the morning to transport demonstrators, describing the protest as “an organized effort to obstruct ICE law enforcement.”
Chicago was not the only site of pro-immigration protests on Friday.
In New York City, demonstrators also clashed with ICE officers and blocked federal vehicles. A day earlier, multiple elected officials in New York were arrested after staging a sit-in at an ICE facility.
Among those taken into custody were New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, state Senators Julia Salazar and Gustavo Rivera, and Assembly members Emily Gallagher and Marcela Mitaynes.
A mass of protesters arrested for interfering and blocking ICE vehicles from entering an ICE facility
— hernando arce (@hernandoarce) September 18, 2025
Included are eleven NYC and STATE elected officials arrested by DHS.
Is the Democratic Party a terrorist organization? pic.twitter.com/YDqIwM2pnE
Federal officers arrested 71 people during the protest.
DHS said that in addition to the incidents in Illinois and New York, ICE officers elsewhere have recently reported that vehicles have been used against them in attempted assaults.
Federal officials indicated that they intend to continue operations despite the protests, citing the need to enforce immigration law and address violent attacks against officers.
The events in Chicago and New York highlight the ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and elected officials in sanctuary jurisdictions.
While DHS has emphasized the dangers faced by ICE officers, protests and demonstrations against immigration enforcement are expected to continue in the weeks ahead.
