Broadview ICE facility remains open, despite days of escalating protests and questions about its future

ROADVIEW, Ill. (WGN) — New safety measures were implemented at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in west suburban Broadview overnight after a weekend of protests and confrontations outside the facility drew questions about its future.

On Friday morning, about 100 protesters gathered outside the facility, which ICE has been using to process detainees, and called for an end to the Trump administration’s recent immigration crackdown in the Chicago area, dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz.” As the group rallied, tear gas and pepper balls began to fill the air as federal agents attempted to leave the facility.

Tensions escalated again Sunday night when about 20 to 30 protestors gathered outside the facility along Beach Street. On Monday morning, protesters who set up a tent across the street from the facility could be seen for hours running up to its main gates and yelling whenever they saw federal agents outside.

The Department of Homeland Security says “Operation Midway Blitz” and “Operation At-Large” have resulted in about 500 arrests in the Chicago area over the last two weeks.

DHS: Reports of facility closure ‘FALSE’

Meanwhile, DHS has denied a Huffington Post report, released Sunday, that says the Trump administration planned to evacuate the Broadview ICE facility. The report cited internal DHS communications that the Huffington Post had seen.

However, in an update Sunday night, again citing agency communications, the report says DHS has decided to keep the facility open and operational.

WGN-TV reached out to DHS for a statement regarding the Huffington Post report and whether recent protests would impact the status of the Broadview ICE facility.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded with a statement, saying “any allegations that (the) ICE Broadview Processing Center is temporarily closing are FALSE.”

McLaughlin’s statement continued:

“Since Friday, rioters and sanctuary politicians have obstructed and assaulted law enforcement. These rioters have thrown tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement, slashed tires of cars, blocked the entrance of the building, and trespassed on private property.

“Police under (Illinois Gov.) JB Pritzker’s sanctuary jurisdiction refused to answer multiple calls for assistance. So far, federal law enforcement arrested 16 rioters.

“(DHS) Secretary (Kristi) Noem’s message to rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

‘Like a nightmare’

One person protesting at the Broadview ICE facility for the first time Monday told WGN-TV he felt obligated to act.

“They’re splitting families apart, they’re disappearing people, they are leaving kids without parents,” he said. “They’re committing atrocities here, and I just want to do my part to hold them accountable for that.”

But Chaplain Ana Nikolic, who’s knocked on the doors of the facility every day seeking information about a detainee, says that the protesters’ recent tactics are making matters worse. She says protesters have every right to be there, but unruly actions lead to “closed doors” when it comes to helping detainees.

“We have no access because of the protesters here,” Nikolic said. “Hate doesn’t take us anywhere. We need to bring peace.

“… (It’s a) terrible situation for the families. This is like a nightmare for the families.”

What was happening inside the gates of the Broadview facility Sunday remains unclear, but outside, demonstrators clashed with ICE agents.

WGN-TV crews observed armed and masked agents in full gear guarding vehicles leaving the property, including a bus and two SUVs. Each time the gates opened, protesters shouted and jeered, while ICE agents twice fired pepper bullets in their direction.

“We just want to reach a compromise where we get the United States that we grew up in, where it was liberty and justice for all,” one protester said. “That’s the United States that I was promised, and that’s the United States that I want to see.”

DHS said most of the 16 protesters who’ve been arrested have since been released. The department did not respond when asked if there will be any changes at the Broadview ICE facility due to the escalating protests.

There have also been increasing calls from politicians to tour the facility amid reports that the conditions inside are “deplorable” and that the facility is being used more as a detention center than a processing center.

“We’ve made two formal requests to tour that facility,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) said. “It troubles me that ICE and others have refused to even let us see what’s going on inside.”

A man named Rogelio says he’s one of at least 16 protestors who’s been arrested since Friday while demonstrating at the ICE processing center.

“They detained me for six hours, in which I didn’t get food, water or any clothing,” he said. “A truck almost ran over me. I got a little emotional and smacked the window. They charged me with assault on officers, even though I did not assault officers.”

Rogelio says what he saw inside of the building was shocking but not surprising.

“I saw nothing but dead cockroaches, rolly pollies and other creatures on the floor dead,” he said.

Additional safety measures

By Tuesday morning, additional fencing had been put up around the facility.

In a statement, Department of Homeland Security officials said the additional security was put in place due to the actions of “rioters and sanctuary politicians”

“DHS is extending fencing surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Broadview Processing Center after rioters and sanctuary politicians obstructed law enforcement, threw tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks, slashed tires of cars, blocked the entrance of the building, and trespassed on private property. Police under JB Pritzker’s sanctuary jurisdiction refused to assist federal law enforcement with violent crowds. So far, federal law enforcement arrested 16 rioters—including individuals facing charges for assaulting law enforcement,” Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, US Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement shared Tuesday. “Some of the worst of the worst—including criminals convicted of drug trafficking, domestic abuse, drinking and driving, and assault—were being processed at the facility when riots broke out. Rioters and Sanctuary politicians will not deter President Trump and Secretary Noem from enforcing the law.”