Hundreds Protest ICE Facility Amid Escalating Operation Midway Blitz Chicago Suburbs

Protests erupted outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing center in Broadview, Illinois, as part of opposition to President Donald Trump's intensified immigration enforcement under Operation Midway Blitz. Around 200 protesters, some chanting hostile slogans against ICE, attempted to block access to the facility, prompting federal agents to respond with pepper balls and tear gas to disperse the crowds. The protests have been ongoing weekly since early September and have included acts such as blocking vehicles, throwing projectiles, and slashing tires, leading to multiple arrests. Federal officials condemned the protesters as violent rioters, citing a surge in assaults against ICE personnel and recent attacks on ICE facilities, including a deadly shooting in Dallas. Protest leaders and some local officials dispute these characterizations, emphasizing concerns about inhumane conditions and the administration's crackdown on immigrants. The situation remains tense with polarized views between federal authorities and local activists and politicians over immigration enforcement and public safety.