Daycare Employee Detained by ICE Amid Children Drop-off in Chicago

Fri Feb 06 2026 02:51:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An immigration enforcement operation at a Chicago preschool has left parents outraged as an employee was detained by ICE while children were being dropped off, highlighting aggressive tactics by the Trump administration.

In Chicago, immigration authorities detained a daycare center employee during the busy morning drop-off, prompting a swift reaction from angry parents. Witnesses described the tense scene where officers in tactical gear entered the Rayito de Sol center, leading to the detention of a teacher amid claims of her asserting U.S. citizenship. The incident is part of a broader crackdown by ICE, raising concerns over the impact on families and children.

CHICAGO (AP) — An employee of the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center in Chicago was detained by immigration authorities as parents dropped off their children on Wednesday morning. Witnesses reported that the employee ran inside the daycare after officers arrived, asserting her status as a U.S. citizen while being held between glass doors.

This incident is the latest in a series of aggressive enforcement actions by the Trump administration, known as ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ which has led to over 3,000 immigration arrests across Chicago since early September. The operation has featured notable tactics, including significant deployments of force and dramatic arrests in public places.

According to local Alderman Matt Martin, multiple officers identifiable as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents approached the center just after it opened at 7 a.m. Eyewitness videos circulated online show many parents, visibly disturbed, witnessing the detention unfold.

Following the incident, the Rayito de Sol center in Roscoe Village was closed for the day, as parents gathered outside expressing their anger and concern. Many described the workers at the center as kind and dedicated, stating they did not deserve to experience such trauma, especially in a setting meant for children. Parents expressed fear for their children's well-being amid rising tensions around immigration enforcement.

Among those impacted, Esmeralda Rosales shared her distress, stating her child’s teacher was the one detained. “This is just terrible, terrible, terrible,” she exclaimed, highlighting the emotional toll on families during such traumatic events. Other parents echoed similar sentiments, noting the inappropriate timing of the enforcement action amidst children's daily routine.

The incident not only reflects the heightened enforcement climate but also raises ongoing concerns about the effects of such operations on families and young children who bear witness to these traumatic experiences. ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the detainment.

As reports of such aggressive tactics continue to surface, they emphasize the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the human costs associated with enforcement measures.