Overview
- Roughly 200 people rallied and marched along 26th Street on Saturday, denouncing recent immigration enforcement actions in the Little Village neighborhood.
- Agents arrested at least seven people during Wednesday raids in Little Village and Cicero, then returned Thursday as clashes led to multiple detentions, including two high school students, and the reported use of tear gas and pepper spray.
- Those detained this week included a teenager headed to school, two alderman’s staff members, and a restaurant worker on 26th Street, with additional arrests reported in Lakeview, Bucktown and West Town.
- Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino was present at the standoffs and is identified as leading Operation Midway Blitz, while attorneys allege his use of gas violated a federal order issued by Judge Sara Ellis limiting such weapons.
- Residents described empty businesses and heightened fear, with a soft lockdown reported at Lincoln Park High School; separate reports noted tear gas in Irving Park and sightings of federal agents in Avondale and Logan Square.