Federal agents repeatedly use tear gas, pepper spray on protesters at Broadview ICE facility
Sep 19, 2026·Location: Broadview, IL

Demonstrators have repeatedly clashed with federal agents outside the ICE detention facility in Broadview, Illinois, over several consecutive weeks, protesting detention conditions and showing support for detainees. On September 19, 2025, protesters blocking the facility's driveway were pepper-sprayed, including directly in the face, and an ICE vehicle struck at least one protester who sustained minor injuries; a witnessing attorney described agents as pushing protesters in an 'aggressive and violent manner.' On September 26, agents used pepper balls, tear gas, and baton rounds against more than 100 protesters, taking 11 into custody, with five later facing federal charges. On October 4, agents again deployed tear gas, pepper balls, and other chemical munitions against protesters, journalists, and legal observers, with chemical agents also affecting nearby residents; congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss were arrested. Broadview's mayor sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security citing dangers to residents from chemical agents and blocked emergency access, while lawsuits were filed alleging excessive force and First Amendment violations.
Timeline
Sources
- Body slamming, teargas and pepper balls: viral videos show Ice using extreme force in Chicago
The Guardian·Oct 4, 2025·archived copy
- Judge's blistering opinion details use of force in Chicago-area immigration crackdown
Associated Press·Nov 21, 2025·archived copy
- ICE denies using excessive force as it broadens immigration arrests in Chicago
Associated Press·Sep 20, 2025·archived copy
- Federal agents fire chemicals as protesters try to block car at immigration site outside Chicago
Associated Press·Sep 26, 2025·archived copy
- Confrontations between ICE, protesters grow more heated in Broadview, Illinois
- Protesters, ICE agents clash outside Broadview, Illinois processing facility during 12-hour demonstration
- More tension and clashes between protesters and ICE agents at Broadview immigration facility
- Protestors sprayed by ICE agent during clash outside Broadview facility
- ICE Escalates Violence Against Protesters In Broadview; Journalist Arrested
blockclubchicago.org·Sep 28, 2025·archived copy
- Police investigate after CBS Chicago reporter’s truck shot out with a pepper ball outside ICE facility in Broadview
Chicago Tribune·Sep 29, 2025·archived copy
- ICE is hounding Chicago area locals with excessive chemical munitions
- Federal Agents use Teargas and Pepper Balls to Break up Chicago ICE Protest
- Mayor Asks Feds To 'Stop War On Broadview' At ICE Facility
patch.com·Sep 26, 2025·archived copy
- Feds fire baton rounds, more tear gas at ICE protesters in Broadview
Chicago Tribune·Sep 26, 2025·archived copy
- Broadview ICE agents fired pepper balls at protesters 'as though for sport', Evanston mayor claims
- Protesters, federal agents clash outside Broadview ICE facility: videos, witnesses
abc7chicago.com·Sep 20, 2026
- 10 protesters maced by federal agents outside Broadview ICE facility, 2 hospitalized
nbcchicago.com·Sep 19, 2026
More incidents in Illinois
- Man mistaken for fugitive beaten and detained by ICE agents in Evanston, hospitalizedOct 4, 2026 · Evanston, IL
- ICE arrests eight men in Woodstock and Waukegan, Illinois enforcement operationsSep 25, 2026 · Waukegan, IL
- DACA recipient held by ICE for 7 months, son didn't recognize herSep 22, 2026 · Broadview, IL
- Fear of ICE raids cost Chicago-area businesses $1.26 billion, study findsSep 8, 2026 · Chicago, IL
- Two men detained as ICE raids Illinois factory without warrantSep 3, 2026 · McCook, IL
- Illinois man injured, detained in Evanston after ICE mistook him for fugitiveSep 1, 2026 · IL