Early Friday morning, the usually quiet streets outside the Broadview ICE facility in west suburban Broadview, Illinois, were transformed into a scene of tense activism. According to reporting from multiple outlets, a determined group of protesters staged a sit-in, aiming to disrupt the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as federal agents prepared to transfer detainees to another location. The demonstration, which began before dawn on October 24, 2025, was part of a 12-hour grassroots effort that organizers hoped would send a clear message to both local and national authorities: this facility, and the expanded ICE operations it represents, are not welcome in the community.
Despite the heavy presence of federal agents clad in full military gear, the protest remained largely peaceful, though not without moments of tension. Protesters were forcibly removed from the entrance to allow a transport van—believed to be carrying undocumented immigrant detainees—to leave the premises. No arrests were reported, but the atmosphere was undeniably charged. As Akeisha Lee, one of the protest organizers, told local media, “So we feel like Broadview residents should know they have the power to say ‘this is not welcome’ in their community.”
The demonstration was just one front in a broader battle over immigration enforcement taking place across Chicago and the nation. On Wednesday, October 22, Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson publicly urged residents to “resist” what he described as an escalation of immigration enforcement operations by the Trump administration. At a news conference covered by the Chicago Tribune, Johnson did not mince words. He condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy federal troops to Los Angeles to quell riots that had erupted after ICE raids, calling it a “war on our culture.” The mayor implored, “I am counting on all of Chicago to resist in this moment. Because whatever particular vulnerable group is targeted today, another group will be next.” He added, “This is a necessary fight for all of us to be able to push back. Whether we use the courts or whether we continue to protest or raise our voices, dissent matters in this moment. Look, [Trump] is abusing his power. We warned people though. You all know we warned people.”
The mayor’s warning came as city officials braced for a ramp-up in ICE raids, with federal agents expected to target workplaces and deploy “tactical teams” and even “mini tanks” throughout the city, according to Johnson’s chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas. The city’s immigrant population, estimated at around 425,000 undocumented individuals in Illinois as of 2019, has been on edge since the surge in border crossings and stepped-up enforcement. Local authorities, meanwhile, have made clear their intention not to cooperate with federal immigration operations. Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling reaffirmed, “not something we do,” when asked if his officers would coordinate with ICE, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Back in Broadview, the protest was a microcosm of these larger tensions. Protesters and faith leaders gathered not only to block ICE vehicles but to pray for peace and nonviolence. Leslie Ritter-Jenkins, a demonstrator, reflected on the moral dimension of the protest: “I believe that Jesus essentially said love, unconditional love and so I know there’s a better way.” Others, like Randy Vandenbos, focused on the legal and ethical concerns: “I just feel like it’s wrong the way they are taking these people and not giving them due process. So I just felt like somebody’s gotta stand up.”
Not all voices in the community were united in opposition to the Trump administration’s actions. Shawn Campbell, a local resident and counter-protester, argued, “I think a country should, a country is not a country without strong borders, so I would say I stand by law and order.” This sentiment echoed the broader national debate, where questions of security, sovereignty, and humanitarian responsibility frequently collide.
The Broadview mayor confirmed that the facility on Beach Street is set to become the main processing center for expanded ICE operations in the Chicago area. This news, coupled with the visible increase in enforcement activity, has left many local families anxious. According to immigrant rights groups and community leaders, calls to hotlines have spiked since ICE activity intensified, with many residents fearing for their safety and that of their loved ones. In response, these groups held an information session on Thursday, October 23, to educate residents about their rights and distribute resources. The hope, organizers said, was to empower the community and provide support in a time of uncertainty.
These efforts are not limited to protests. With the Mexican Independence Day Parade scheduled for Sunday, October 26, along 26th Street in Little Village—a vibrant hub of Chicago’s Mexican-American community—organizers planned to deploy rapid response teams and have attorneys on hand to assist anyone affected by ICE operations. “We want to make sure our community feels supported and knows their rights,” one organizer explained, underscoring the sense of solidarity that has defined much of the city’s response.
The escalating standoff between local and federal authorities has drawn national attention. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with 18 other Democratic attorneys general, sharply criticized President Trump’s decision to federalize and deploy California’s National Guard to Los Angeles without the consent of state leaders. In a joint statement, Raoul declared, “The president’s decision to federalize and deploy California’s National Guard without the consent of California state leaders is unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic. The federal administration should be working with local leaders to keep everyone safe, not mobilizing the military against the American people.”
Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in California, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Maxine Waters, have pointed to the administration’s policies as the root cause of the unrest. Newsom claimed that the president’s actions were “traumatizing our communities,” while Waters told CNN that Trump “started” the protests. These comments highlight the deep political divisions and competing narratives that continue to shape the national conversation on immigration.
Amid this backdrop, Chicago’s own policies have come under scrutiny. Despite a budget shortfall exceeding $1 billion, the city has spent over $600 million in public funds to support migrants since 2022. On Tuesday, October 21, seventeen people were arrested after anti-ICE demonstrators flooded downtown Chicago, clashing with police and vandalizing buses and squad cars. These incidents further illustrate the high stakes and raw emotions that define the current moment.
As the sun set over Broadview on Friday, the protest wound down, but the issues it raised remain unresolved. For many in Chicago and across the country, the debate over immigration enforcement is not just about policy—it’s about identity, justice, and the kind of community they want to build. With more demonstrations expected and political leaders on all sides digging in, the question of how to reconcile security with compassion is likely to loom large in the weeks and months ahead.
For now, the streets of Broadview stand as a testament to a community’s determination to make its voice heard, even in the face of daunting odds.
