CHICAGO (AP) — Authorities arrested 21 protesters Friday outside a Chicago-area federal immigration facility that activists say functions as a de facto detention center and is plagued by inhumane conditions.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office stated that the arrests were made by midday, with efforts underway to verify identities and determine potential charges.
Just moments before the confrontation began, demonstrators were seen singing and chanting. At around 10 a.m., a large group, aware that they would likely be arrested, crossed the protest barrier and moved towards the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.
Protesters held signs that read, “God’s Love Knows No Borders” and “God Demands Freedom,” and many joined in prayer. The crowd swelled to approximately 300 individuals before beginning to disperse.
Law enforcement present included officers from the Illinois State Police and Cook County Sheriff's police.
The facility in Broadview, Illinois, has frequently witnessed protests on Fridays against a federal immigration crackdown known as “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has led to over 3,200 arrests in the Chicago metropolitan area since September of individuals suspected of violating immigration laws.
The aggressive tactics employed by agents from Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have faced increasing scrutiny through legal challenges and public demonstrations.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office stated that the arrests were made by midday, with efforts underway to verify identities and determine potential charges.
Just moments before the confrontation began, demonstrators were seen singing and chanting. At around 10 a.m., a large group, aware that they would likely be arrested, crossed the protest barrier and moved towards the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.
Protesters held signs that read, “God’s Love Knows No Borders” and “God Demands Freedom,” and many joined in prayer. The crowd swelled to approximately 300 individuals before beginning to disperse.
Law enforcement present included officers from the Illinois State Police and Cook County Sheriff's police.
The facility in Broadview, Illinois, has frequently witnessed protests on Fridays against a federal immigration crackdown known as “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has led to over 3,200 arrests in the Chicago metropolitan area since September of individuals suspected of violating immigration laws.
The aggressive tactics employed by agents from Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have faced increasing scrutiny through legal challenges and public demonstrations.
