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Chicago protesters struck in head by pepper balls

Protesters outside a Chicago-area ICE facility, including a pastor and two congressional candidates, were hit by pepper balls, with video showing strikes to the head and bruising on one demonstrator's back.

Sep 19, 2025Broadview Il

Chicago protesters struck in head by pepper balls
Photo via The Hill

Federal ICE and Border Patrol agents used tear gas and pepper balls to disperse protesters outside a Chicago-area ICE detention facility during demonstrations against immigration enforcement operations. Protesters have included a pastor and two Democratic congressional candidates, with at least three arrests and clashes between agents and demonstrators. Video reviewed by NBC 5 Investigates shows a protester struck in the back of the head and face by a pepper ball during a September 26 demonstration, and another protester's back was covered in bruises from apparent pepper ball strikes. The incidents have raised questions about whether agents violated Border Patrol's own use-of-force policy, which restricts targeting the head, neck, spine or groin with compressed air launchers, as well as a judge's standing order limiting use of chemical agents.

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