Early Tuesday morning, at approximately 1 a.m., armed federal agents reportedly descended from helicopters onto the roof of a five-story residential apartment building in Chicago’s South Shore, according to witnesses. As they moved through the structure, they allegedly forced entry by kicking down doors, deployed flashbang grenades, and apprehended both adults and screaming children, detaining them with zip-ties and making dozens of arrests, witnesses stated.
This operation, characterized by its military-like methods, was part of an extensive immigration enforcement initiative in the nation’s third-largest city, aligned with the Trump Administration’s policies, which have led to a significant increase in federal raids and arrests.
The raid has provoked widespread indignation throughout Chicago and the state, with advocacy groups and legislators asserting that it represents a dramatic escalation in the tactics utilized by federal authorities in pursuing Trump’s agenda.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker accused federal agents of separating children from their parents, binding their hands with zip-ties, and holding them in “dark vans” for hours. Videos reportedly depict, followed by residents of the apartment building, including children. Images from the aftermath show toys and shoes scattered across apartment hallways, evidence that the operation, which included FBI and Homeland Security agents, had abruptly removed individuals from their beds.
‘Military-style tactics’
Pritzker declared in a statement condemning the raid that he would collaborate with local law enforcement to hold the agents accountable. “Military-style tactics should never be used on children in a functioning democracy,” he stated. “This didn’t happen in a country with an authoritarian regime – it happened here in Chicago. It happened in the United States of America – a country that should be a bastion of freedom, hope, and the rights of our people as guaranteed by the Constitution,” he added.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has publicized approximately 900 arrests in its Chicago operation since its commencement in early September, alongside the 37 arrests made during Tuesday’s nighttime raid. All those apprehended were identified as “involved in drug trafficking and distribution, weapons crimes and immigration violators.” The DHS stated that the building was targeted because it was “known to be frequented by Tren de Aragua members and their associates.” The DHS also posted a video on social media, set to dramatic music, illustrating helicopters illuminating the apartment building as individuals were escorted out in handcuffs.
A subsequent statement from DHS indicated that children were taken into custody “for their own safety and to ensure these children were not being trafficked, abused or otherwise exploited.” The DHS also confirmed that four children who are U.S. citizens with undocumented parents were taken into custody.
Zip-ties and guns
In the wake of the extensive raid, residents and city lawmakers have been demanding explanations from the federal government.
Ed Yohnka, from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU), told MSNBC on Saturday that the raid constituted “an escalation of force and violence” from the federal government in Chicago.
“What we saw was a full-fledged military operation conducted on the south side of Chicago against an apartment building,” he further noted.
“They just treated us like we were nothing,” recounted Pertissue Fisher in an interview shortly after the raid. She stated she was handcuffed, held for hours, and released around 3 a.m., adding it was the first time she had ever had a gun pointed at her.
Neighbor Eboni Watson, an eyewitness to the raid, also informed the ABC station that children—some of whom were without clothes—were secured with zip-ties when federal agents removed them from the residential building. Watson recalled repeatedly asking, “Where’s the morality?” during the raid.
“As a father, I cannot help but think about what it means for a child to be torn from their bed in the middle of the night, detained for no reason other than a show of force,” National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) president Derrick Johnson remarked. “The trauma inflicted on these young people and their families is unconscionable.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from TIME.
ICE’s methods faced further criticism on Friday when federal immigration agents at a Chicago medical center after questioning agents about their warrant to make an arrest there.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson characterized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s tactics as “abusive.”
These raids took place merely days after President Donald Trump signaled his intent to increase the deployment of the U.S. military in American cities during a speech where he condemned a “war from within” the nation.
“We are under invasion from within,” he asserted, “no different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways, because they don’t wear uniforms.”
He advocated for U.S. cities to serve as “training grounds” for the military, as he continues to and has stated his plan to deploy the National Guard to the city to combat crime and enforce immigration laws.
