Community outraged as ICE raid sparks questions in Pilsen

CHICAGO (WGN) — The Pilsen community was fired up after an alleged ICE raid in the South Side neighborhood Monday morning.

WGN TV News was told several people donning FBI vests illegally entered a business and a residence, taking two Mexican nationals into custody.

“We are, right now, investigating the reason why those neighbors have been detained without a warrant,” Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) said.

Sigcho-Lopez said the alleged ICE raid happened around 8:30 a.m.

“In both instances, the video footage and the witness’s recollection, there was no warrant,” Sigcho-Lopez. “It’s questionable if they even attempted to identify the people they ultimately detained.”

In footage circulating on social media, a Chicago Police Department squad car is also visible. CPD issued the following statement in response:

“An officer was en route to court and observed law enforcement activity. Upon learning this activity was related to civil immigration enforcement, the officer immediately left the scene. At no point did the officer assist in immigration enforcement.” -CPD

The immigration status and criminal record of the two Mexican nationals remain unclear.

An ICE press release dated April 29, 2025, claims that during the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term, ICE arrested more than 66,000 people.

In response to a request for comment on this story, the FBI released the following statement:

“We can confirm that the FBI was supporting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement operations at a residence in the referenced vicinity earlier today which resulted in the apprehension of two subjects. The FBI, alongside other Department of Justice law enforcement partners, have been supporting these efforts at the direction of the Attorney General. The FBI’s contribution to this effort can vary dependent on the specific needs of DHS. For any further releasable information, please contact the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chicago Field Office.”

U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement has not responded to requests for comment on this story.