This is part of our series of daily recaps of ICE activity in the Chicago region. Have a tip we should check out? Email [email protected].
CHICAGO — A federal judge in Chicago struck a more cordial tone while grilling two top federal immigration enforcement officials Monday, at one point expressing surprise when one revealed he hadn’t reviewed any ICE reports after agents deployed chemical weapons during recent protests at Broadview.
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis called the officials into court Monday over what she previously described as profound concerns that their respective agencies had violated a recent court order temporarily banning the use of riot-control weapons against journalists and peaceful protesters.
During a hearing that spanned most of Monday, a top ICE official claimed that federal immigration agents have arrested 75 people in the Chicago area for “obstructing and assaulting” agents since stepped-up immigration enforcement began in early September.
But court records show that only 15 people have been charged federally, and five of those cases have been dismissed this month.
Shawn Byers, Deputy Field Office Director at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, made the claim during testimony in federal court on Monday. Ellis questioned Byers and Kevin Harvick, deputy incident command of Customs and Border Protection, for four hours about their agents’ use of force and tactics during the immigration “blitz” in the Chicago area.
During the four-hour-long testimony, Byers said Harvick largely defended their agents’ use of force during high-profile incidents in Chicago neighborhoods and protests at the Broadview ICE facility in recent weeks.
Ellis at one point said she was “surprised” when Byers revealed he hadn’t reviewed any reports generated by ICE after agents deployed tear gas and other less-lethal chemical weapons during recent protests at Broadview.
“I had expected he would’ve seen those reports or reviewed those reports before coming today to talk about them,” Ellis said.
Ellis called Monday’s hearing on the heels of issuing a temporary restraining order that prohibits agents from using excessive force against journalists and peaceful protesters.
The temporary injunction came out of a lawsuit filed earlier this month. Block Club Chicago and other organizations sued the federal government for its use of excessive force against journalists and other peaceful protesters.
Happening In Chicago
- At 8:20 a.m. Monday, immigration agents detained one person in Avondale, on North Pulaski Road and near West George Street, after the person abandoned a car and was chased on foot, the Northwest Side Rapid Response Team said on social media.
- Immigration agents were spotted in multiple locations of East Chicago Monday, according to the Southeast Rapid Response Team. ICE agents detained two people in the neighboring town of Hammond, the group said on social media.
- Immigration agents were not present at West 56th Street and South Western Avenue at 10 a.m. Monday, according to the Southwest Rapid Response Team. Chicago police were at the site for an investigation, the group said in a social media post.
- An organizer launched a GoFundMe to raise $12,000 to support the family of a woman detained at Swap-O-Rama last week. Patricia Yadira Quishpe Guaman was among the flea market vendors taken away last week. “She has no criminal background and is only a hardworking and humble woman,” the GoFundMe reads.
- North Side officials are hosting an emergency community meeting and Know Your Rights training at Lake View High School, 4015 N. Ashland Ave. at 6 p.m. Monday, according to a press released shared by Rep. Mike Quigley.
Happening In The Suburbs
- Federal immigration agents accused two women of attacking agents attempting to make an arrest in Bolingbrook, according to the Chicago Tribune.
- Border Patrol agents detained a least eight people in Cicero Monday morning, according to the Berwyn Cicero Rapid Response. At least three people were detained at West 23rd St and South Laramie Avenue, one person was detained at South 51st Court and West 13th Street and one person was detained at West 24th Street and South 59th Avenue. A mom, daughter and son were detained at West 23rd and South 53rd avenues, the group said on social media. The son is possibly a minor, according to the group.
- At least three people were detained by immigration agents Monday morning in River Forest after members of a rapid response team spotted agents on Franklin Avenue, according to the West Suburban Action Project’s rapid response team.
- Federal agents interrupted federal agents chasing a person in Mount Prospect Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reported. Neighbors also reported chasing away agents in suburban Rolling Meadows, according to the Tribune.
- Rep. Norma Hernandez confirmed several detentions in Melrose Park and ICE presence in a Stone Park Walmart and Northlake. She also said ICE agents have been “threatening” rapid response volunteers.
Reporter Francia Garcia Hernandez contributed.
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