Federal Agents Clash with Protesters Outside ICE Center in Broadview, Illinois

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:08:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Tensions escalate as federal agents resort to pepper balls and tear gas against protesters at the immigration enforcement building in Broadview during a demonstration against recent immigration policies.

In Broadview, Illinois, federal agents clashed with dozens of protesters outside an ICE facility. The confrontation, marked by the use of pepper balls and tear gas, unfolded over several hours as demonstrators sought to voice their opposition to recent immigration enforcement actions. Protesters attempted to hang supportive messages on a fence surrounding the building. Key figures like Bushra Amiwala reported injuries caused by the agents' methods, calling the response 'fully unprovoked.'

BROADVIEW, Ill. (PulseWire News) — Federal agents fired pepper balls and tear gas at protesters near an immigration enforcement building in suburban Chicago on Friday.

The conflict, continuing for several hours, represents federal authorities' latest crackdown against protesters focused on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Broadview, located about 12 miles west of Chicago. This action coincides with an increased surge of immigration enforcement that began earlier this month.

Agents repeated their use of chemical agents after some protesters attempted to block a vehicle from approaching the ICE building. Both pepper bullets and tear gas canisters were directed toward the crowd, affecting attendees who were largely standing well behind the fence and not obstructing traffic.

As agents advanced, protesters were forced to flee, resulting in most of the crowd being dispersed.

In prior weeks, protesters had also attempted to obstruct agents' vehicles near the building. A newly installed fence, erected earlier in the week, kept demonstrators farther away during the latest protest.

Earlier on Friday, a small group of protesters shouted and rang bells at a segment of the fence closer to the facility. Agents fired the initial round of pepper bullets at protesters affixing handwritten supportive messages for detainees to the fence, including signs stating, No human is illegal and We stand with you! You are not illegal!

As tensions unfolded, both protesters and federal agents exchanged insults when immigration officials began removing signs and flags from the fence.

Notably, Bushra Amiwala, a 27-year-old elected member of the Skokie Board of Education, alleged she was struck by pepper bullets while attempting to tie notes on the wall. She recounted experiencing coughing and difficulties with breathing due to the chemical agents used by the federal agents. They caught us so incredibly off guard, she explained, as remnants of the white powder clung to her clothing. Amiwala labeled the agents’ response as 'fully unprovoked.'

Village officials in Broadview have stated that the fence, built without appropriate permissions, poses a security risk to firefighters, yet it remains in place amidst the ongoing unrest. The exact number of arrests made during the protest is currently uncertain; however, federal officials indicated multiple arrests occurred during previous protests at the same site, dismissing those arrested as 'rioters.'