Federal Agents Use Tear Gas and Pepper Balls to Disperse Chicago ICE Protesters, Including Democratic Lawmakers

Federal police arrest a demonstrator during a protest in Broadview, Illinois, on Friday. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

Broadview, IL – 19 September 2025 - Federal law enforcement agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls Friday morning and evening to break up protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility in suburban Broadview, just west of Chicago, resulting in at least three arrests amid escalating clashes over President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation operations. The demonstrations, part of a weekslong resistance to "Operation Midway Blitz"—a federal crackdown that has led to nearly 550 immigration-related arrests in the Chicago area since early September—drew about 100 participants, including two Democratic congressional candidates and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. 

The confrontations began around 5 a.m. when protesters, many linking arms and chanting against family separations, attempted to block ICE vans from exiting the facility's gate. Masked agents in riot gear, some positioned on the rooftop, responded by firing pepper balls—projectiles that release a cloud of irritant powder—and launching multiple tear gas canisters, coating demonstrators in white residue and forcing the crowd to scatter. One protester, Sam Spear, was struck in the mouth by a pepper ball, causing bleeding that persisted for over an hour, while others reported injuries from being body-slammed or shoved to the ground.

Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic candidate for Illinois' 9th congressional district, described being lifted and thrown by an agent, sustaining bruises and a hand injury. "We stood in front of the van and they came out and picked me up and threw me on the ground," she told reporters, emphasizing the protesters were unarmed and holding signs. Fellow candidate Daniel Biss posted video from the scene, wiping tear gas from his eyes and condemning the response as "a performance in brutality." Bushra Amiwala, another district 9 contender, said her eyes were filled with pepper spray, calling the violence "an affront to our democracy." Stratton, who had departed before the chemicals were deployed, issued a statement decrying the "violent abuse of power," noting protesters were "singing, chanting, praying, and linking arms" in solidarity with affected communities. 

Chicago City Council member Byron Sigcho-Lopez, present during the evening standoff around 6:45 p.m., demanded the facility's shutdown, highlighting concerns over conditions inside. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle labeled the tactics "deeply troubling," including targeting journalists—CNN's Maria Santana and CBS photojournalist George Umbenhauer were hit by pepper balls while reporting.

The protests unfolded in several waves throughout the day. At 5 a.m., protesters linked arms to stop vans, with no immediate injuries reported. By 8:30 a.m., agents fired tear gas and pepper balls, arresting three for obstruction and causing multiple bruises among demonstrators. Mid-morning, agents on the roof shot irritants, striking protester Sam Spear in the mouth, causing prolonged bleeding. An evening standoff at 6:45 p.m. saw a smaller group block parking lot access, prompting more tear gas volleys; one officer tripped and retaliated by throwing a protester to the curb, with additional detentions reported. By 8 p.m., final clashes involved tear gas fired into the crowd and a fireworks response from protesters, with a pastor overcome by fumes and journalists Santana and Umbenhauer hit by pepper balls.

Operation Midway Blitz, launched in early September under Trump's directive to target "sanctuary" cities like Chicago, focuses on undocumented immigrants and has led to over 400 arrests reported by DHS, amid a reported 1,000% rise in assaults on ICE officers. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have criticized the raids as terrorizing communities, with the city distributing "Know Your Rights" materials. Protests are expected to continue weekly, as advocates vow nonviolent resistance despite the risks.