Chicago, IL - As the sun set on Halloween night in Chicago's Northwest Side and north suburbs, a caravan of at least a dozen federal immigration agents from the U.S. Border Patrol swept through neighborhoods, making arrests and using pepper balls and spray to disperse protesters.
According to eyewitnesses, including Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd), who witnessed one man being detained by agents in her ward office building, the agents' presence was met with resistance from community members. "They showed up here to terrorize people, and they got a response from the community," Rodriguez-Sanchez said through tears.
Agents were seen deploying pepper spray in areas such as Albany Park and Niles, where multiple arrests took place. A Sun-Times journalist witnessed four arrests, including two in Edison Park and Niles, where agents used pepper balls to control crowds.
One of those arrested was Christopher Klim, a 59-year-old U.S. citizen from Poland who was working on a home renovation project when he was apprehended by the agents. Klim claimed he had done nothing wrong, stating "I'm not [a] criminal. I'm just working." His co-worker, also an undocumented immigrant, was arrested and taken away in a separate vehicle.
Local residents expressed concern about the agents' actions, with some claiming that they had used excessive force and tear gas without justification. A neighbor of Klim's reported seeing the man standing calmly before being detained. "It happens so fast," he said. "You prepare, but then you don't know what to do."
Critics have long argued that immigration enforcement operations like those conducted by U.S. Border Patrol are counterproductive and harm immigrant communities. The recent actions in Chicago's suburbs have sparked outrage among local residents and community leaders.
In response to the Sun-Times' inquiries, a DHS spokesperson confirmed five people without legal status had been detained across Albany Park on Friday but declined to provide further details on specific arrests or locations.
Chicago police arrived at the scene, clearing roadways and allowing agents with detainees to leave. The agency's use of pepper balls instead of tear gas has raised questions about its tactics.
A reporter from the Sun-Times witnessed a federal agent without a body camera during one of the arrests, while others used GoPro cameras along with standard equipment. Some agents wore numbered identifiers on their uniforms or tape with identifying numbers.
As night fell in Chicago, it remained unclear what exactly had occurred at each location. However, one thing is clear: community members will not stand idly by as they are targeted by federal immigration enforcement operations.
According to eyewitnesses, including Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd), who witnessed one man being detained by agents in her ward office building, the agents' presence was met with resistance from community members. "They showed up here to terrorize people, and they got a response from the community," Rodriguez-Sanchez said through tears.
Agents were seen deploying pepper spray in areas such as Albany Park and Niles, where multiple arrests took place. A Sun-Times journalist witnessed four arrests, including two in Edison Park and Niles, where agents used pepper balls to control crowds.
One of those arrested was Christopher Klim, a 59-year-old U.S. citizen from Poland who was working on a home renovation project when he was apprehended by the agents. Klim claimed he had done nothing wrong, stating "I'm not [a] criminal. I'm just working." His co-worker, also an undocumented immigrant, was arrested and taken away in a separate vehicle.
Local residents expressed concern about the agents' actions, with some claiming that they had used excessive force and tear gas without justification. A neighbor of Klim's reported seeing the man standing calmly before being detained. "It happens so fast," he said. "You prepare, but then you don't know what to do."
Critics have long argued that immigration enforcement operations like those conducted by U.S. Border Patrol are counterproductive and harm immigrant communities. The recent actions in Chicago's suburbs have sparked outrage among local residents and community leaders.
In response to the Sun-Times' inquiries, a DHS spokesperson confirmed five people without legal status had been detained across Albany Park on Friday but declined to provide further details on specific arrests or locations.
Chicago police arrived at the scene, clearing roadways and allowing agents with detainees to leave. The agency's use of pepper balls instead of tear gas has raised questions about its tactics.
A reporter from the Sun-Times witnessed a federal agent without a body camera during one of the arrests, while others used GoPro cameras along with standard equipment. Some agents wore numbered identifiers on their uniforms or tape with identifying numbers.
As night fell in Chicago, it remained unclear what exactly had occurred at each location. However, one thing is clear: community members will not stand idly by as they are targeted by federal immigration enforcement operations.
, can't believe what I just saw 
. Immigrant communities in Chicago's suburbs being targeted like this? That's crazy 
. It's like, one wrong move and suddenly you're arrested and pepper sprayed 
. The community is standing up for themselves though 
, that's super interesting 
.
. And what's with all the secrecy? Just give us some answers already 
. It's not like this is a new thing happening, but still, it's getting more and more extreme 
. I'm not sure how much more of this country can take before something changes 
.
. But seriously, folks, we need some real change here 
u hear the stories of christopher klim, he was just doin his job, nothin wrong w/ him. & another immigrant co-worker gets taken away, meanwhile chicago police dont even give a care about what's goin on. 
these immigration ops are straight up counterproductive, they should be focusin on findin ways 2 help ppl get in line legally instead of just sweepin 'em up w/ no regard 4 their humanity
. I know some folks are saying it's counterproductive, but what do you expect? The system's in place for a reason 
.
. And yeah, maybe some people overreacted, but it's all part of the job, you know? Can't have everyone being perfect all the time 
. But at the end of the day, it's just about doing our part to keep this country safe 
.
this is so messed up! i mean, come on! a 59-year-old dude just doing some work and gets arrested and pepper sprayed for it! what even is the point of these immigration ops? people are getting hurt left and right... like, isn't that supposed to be something we're trying to avoid? and now the community is super upset and rightfully so. they shouldn't have to live in fear of being targeted by agents who are just doing whatever they feel like. and what's with all the lack of accountability? no body cameras?! how are we supposed to trust these people? 
. I mean, I get that the feds gotta enforce the law and all, but using pepper spray and taking people down without a reason? That's just wrong 
. The guy who got detained was just working on a renovation project, he didn't even do anything suspicious. And now his co-worker is gone too... it's just not right 
.
.
. It's like, just 'cause we got rights, don't mean nobody else does, you feel? These immigration agents are out there enforcing laws that keep communities divided and scared... and it's like, what's the real reason for this enforcement? Is it really about securing our borders or is it just about asserting power over marginalized groups?
. Like, what if someone from Poland comes here looking for a better life like Chris did, only to get detained without cause? It's like, we gotta ask ourselves: how would we feel if we were in his shoes? Wouldn't we want some help and support instead of being shot with pepper spray?
. We gotta keep pushing forward and demanding justice for all, no matter the cost 
. and who are these agents supposed to be protecting again? us or themselves? 
. What's next? A full-on military takeover? It's so suspicious when they won't even give you any info on what's going down. And that agent without a body cam during an arrest is just asking for trouble... or worse, it's a cover-up 
. The community's right to be upset, but can we please get some answers about what's really going on here? It's not like they're doing anything to make our lives easier...
i mean, i know some ppl don't wanna be here but a little respect would be nice... 