Local Leaders Urge Caution Amid Escalating Violence at Broadview ICE Protests (Chicago, IL) – Three prominent local officials are warning residents to reconsider attending protests outside the ICE processing center in Broadview, citing escalating violence from federal agents and mounting legal threats from the Trump administration.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), and Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) issued a joint statement Saturday evening after each attended recent demonstrations at the suburban immigration facility.
The officials said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have repeatedly escalated their response to protesters, deploying tear gas, pepper rounds, and rubber bullets, and in some cases pointing firearms at demonstrators and members of the press.
“ICE has escalated their use of tear gas, pepper rounds, and rubber bullets, shooting protesters and members of the press in the face without provocation on numerous occasions,” the statement read. “ICE agents at Broadview have also unholstered their guns repeatedly, pointing machine and hand guns directly at protesters. ICE is willing to use lethal force.”
The statement also referenced the recent killing of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez in Franklin Park, which the officials cited as evidence of the risks protesters face.
On Friday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she was preparing to pursue federal charges against demonstrators, raising further concern among local leaders.
“For these reasons, we cannot advise anyone in good conscience to protest tonight,” the officials said, while stressing that they will continue to oppose ICE practices and advocate for those detained.
The Broadview ICE facility has long been a flashpoint for immigrant rights activists, with regular protests against federal deportation policies. Demonstrations in recent days have drawn larger crowds amid intensifying national debates over immigration enforcement.
Biss, Peters, and Vasquez emphasized that while they will not participate in Saturday night’s protest, their commitment to supporting immigrants and pushing back against what they described as “authoritarian tactics” remains unchanged.
“We are here to keep our neighbors safe, and we will never look away or stop organizing,” the officials said.
Local Leaders Urge Caution Amid Escalating Violence at Broadview ICE Protests
