Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood was the focal point of renewed federal immigration enforcement last weekend, sparking heated confrontations and drawing national attention. The clashes unfolded just days after judicial intervention tightened the use-of-force guidelines for agents operating under Operation Midway Blitz.
Saturday’s clash during federal immigration operations in Little Village came just days after a federal judge tightened the rules regulating how immigration enforcement agents can use force against residents and journalists.
While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended its tactics, the preliminary injunction established by the presiding judge is now under appeal by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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Cellphone footage captured the moment Saturday morning when Rafael Veraza says he and his family were pepper sprayed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the parking lot of a Sam’s Club in Cicero, just beyond Chicago’s city limits.
“He started spraying from the front of the car towards the back. Basically I got sprayed all over my face,” Veraza said.
Veraza, who has lifelong asthma, described an immediate reaction. “I’m asthmatic. I’ve been with asthma since I was a little kid,” Veraza said. “So the moment that it hit me, I couldn’t breathe.”
His 1-year-old daughter, Arianna, seated in the back of the vehicle, also inhaled the gas. Both were treated briefly at a nearby hospital.
“My daughter was trying to open her eyes,” Veraza said. “She was struggling to breathe.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin posted on social media: “No. There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot. Though, over the weekend in Chicago, law enforcement was shot at, bricks thrown at them, they were rammed with vehicles and other attacks…”
According to DHS, Border Patrol agents entered the Sam’s Club lot after dispersing a crowd in Little Village. They say the move followed gunfire from a black Jeep Wrangler aimed at the convoy.
“Individuals stalked and followed the convoy into the parking lot and a vehicle rammed a Border Patrol’s vehicle,” a DHS statement read in part. “After departing the parking lot, the law enforcement convoy was again attacked resulting in a broken window.”
Despite images released by DHS showing damage to their vehicles, officials have not clarified why Veraza’s car was targeted when his family was withdrawing from their planned shopping trip.
“I’m not even doing a thing,” Veraza said. “I’m trying to exit.”
On Sunday, Veraza recounted his experience at a news conference alongside local leaders and community members, many of whom condemned the agents’ actions. Demonstrators in Little Village say they were met with tear gas and other chemical irritants after shots were reported.
“There were ten cars in front of me. There were neighbors all around. People were upset. All of the agents popped out of the car, guns drawn. Did not hear a single warning,” said Pastor Matt DeMateo with New Life Community Church. “I thought my van was going to get hit from behind… I turned to my left. Hadn’t noticed he was there. There was Bovino with the grenade. Pulls the pin. Holds it, carries it, has an interaction with neighbors and then hops into his van.”
U.S. Representative Jesús “Chuy” García criticized what he described as a federal “campaign of terror” but urged peaceful documentation of the events.
“I recognize the anger. I recognize how so many people feel. however if we succumb to violence we will lose our battle,” Rep. García said. “If we succumb to violence our message will get lost.”
DHS referred to demonstrators as “rioters,” reporting that Border Patrol agents arrested nine people on Saturday, eight of whom were U.S. citizens. It remains unclear what charges, if any, have been filed against them.
In response, the Indivisible Chicago Alliance organized a second Chicagoland day of action in West Town on Sunday. Volunteers assembled “ICE watch” kits containing whistles, buttons and informational pamphlets, and held sessions teaching community members their rights during federal operations.
Department of Homeland Security Full Statement
The Department of Homeland Security released the following full statement Sunday afternoon:
“Yesterday around 9:30 AM, in the Chicago neighborhood of Little Village, U.S. Border Patrol was attacked while conducting immigration enforcement operations. Border Patrol was accosted by a hostile crowd that boxed them into a street and alleyway. As they were apprehending a subject, agents came under direct gunfire when a male driving a black Jeep Wrangler fired multiple rounds. He immediately fled the scene.”
“Attackers then began throwing bricks and even a paint cans from a roof, damaging Border Patrol vehicles. Chicago Police Department successfully helped law enforcement evacuate the area as more bricks were thrown at the law enforcements’ vehicle. Fortunately, no Border Patrol agents were injured in this attack.”
“After clearing the scene of the first attack, Border Patrol then encountered a vehicle that attempted to ram their convoy at the intersection of Cermak and California, but was thwarted when a Controlled Tire Deflation Device was deployed. The Border Patrol convoy then proceeded toward an FBI facility and encountered two drivers trying to impede operations. After they were warned to stop, one of the drivers attempted to ram the convoy. The driver was arrested. Border Patrol reached the FBI facility when rioters attempted to breach security there. Chicago Police responded to help secure the perimeter.”
“Border Patrol then left the FBI facility and then encountered protesters lying in the street near 26th and Pulaski. As the rioters refused to comply with basic instructions and began throwing objects, Border Patrol deployed crowd control measures, cleared the area, and proceeded to a Sam’s Club parking lot. Individuals stalked and followed the convoy into the parking lot and a vehicle rammed a Border Patrol’s vehicle. Three suspects were immediately arrested for assault.”
“After departing the parking lot, the law enforcement convoy was again attacked resulting in a broken window. The convoy became stuck at 26th and Kostner and sustained window damage along with a fourth vehicle ramming. The subject fled the scene and Border Patrol pursued. This driver remains at large.”
“As a result of yesterday’s multiple attacks-fueled by sanctuary politicians and the media-Border Patrol arrested 8 U.S. citizens and one illegal alien. Thankfully, no Border Patrol agents were injured during these multiple attacks.”
“‘JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson have fueled an environment of lawlessness and assault on federal law enforcement,’ said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. ‘In less than three hours in Chicago, Border Patrol faced gunshots, violent mobs at every stop, bricks and other objects thrown at them, and four vehicle rammings. The violence in Chicago against law enforcement is unprecedented-These attacks are the consequence of vitriolic smears from sanctuary politicians and the media. Just last week, Chicago and national media falsely accused law enforcement of raiding a daycare center. Now, they are silent when our agents come under gunfire.”
“‘Make no mistake: Our mission will continue despite the violence. To any Antifa terrorist in Chicago: You will not stop us. You will not slow us down. And if you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will face the consequences.'”
President Donald Trump ordered in September to designate a decentralized movement known as antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
Short for “anti-fascists,” antifa is not a single organization but rather an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
