ICE Protesters Tear Gassed, Congressional Candidate Thrown To Ground During Demonstration

EVANSTON, IL — Federal immigration officers got physical with protesters outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in north suburban Chicago Friday morning, physically dragging people as well as using tear gas and pepper balls, according to videos from the scene and social media posts from local officials.

Numerous politicians were present at the protests Friday morning, including Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. In a video posted to X, Biss and other protesters are shown standing in front of a moving vehicle as agents deploy tear gas.

"Federal forces just tear gassed myself and the other peaceful protesters here at the Broadview ICE facility. This is a terrifying escalation, but we will not back down," Biss said.

ICE officers at the facility physically moved protesters out of the way of vehicles, including 9th District congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh. Video from the facility shows agents picking Abughazaleh up and throwing her to the ground. She later tweeted, "This is what it looks like when ICE violates our First Amendment rights."

This is what it looks like when ICE violates our First Amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/EneI3BAkPF
— Kat Abughazaleh (@KatAbughazaleh) September 19, 2025

Another 9th District congressional candidate, Bushra Amiwala, was also in attendance and said three people were arrested during the protest Friday morning.

“I was at the front of the crowd when the chemical agents went off. My eyes were full of pepper spray. It was hard to breathe, and these agents created chaos. There was no justification for using such violence against peaceful demonstrators. What happened in Broadview today is an affront to our democracy,” Amiwala said.

Protesters have been outside the Broadview facility for three weeks now, some attempting to block vehicles leaving the processing center. The center is being used as the main processing hub for federal immigration authorities during Operation Midway Blitz.

SEE RELATED: As Immigration Arrests Spike In Chicago, Activists Escalate Tactics To Fight Back

The Trump administration has singled out Chicago as its latest mark for immigration enforcement, using traffic stops in immigrant-heavy areas and targeting day laborers outside hardware stores. This week, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to NewsNation that at least 250 undocumented immigrants have been arrested since the start of the crackdown.

"We will not back down," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted Thursday on X, recirculating dramatic footage of arrests at a suburban Chicago home days earlier.

Gov. JB Pritzker has criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics, calling them reckless and dangerous.

"The Trump administration’s cruel immigration enforcement tactics are recklessly endangering all Illinoisans, including hardworking immigrants and US citizens. This isn't the nation I know or grew up in — know your rights, stand up, and speak out," Pritzker said.

Related:

• ICE Arrests Student At Community College
• Pritzker Calls For 'More Transparency' After Man Fatally Shot By ICE