Protestors clash with agents outside Broadview ICE processing facility amid ongoing demonstrations

BROADVIEW, Ill. (WGN) — A clash between ICE agents and protestors appeared to unfold on Friday morning as another day of protests got underway outside an ICE processing facility in suburban Broadview.

On Friday morning, a group of 100 protestors gathered outside the processing facility and things remained calm until around 7:30 a.m., when agents pulled onto a road that was being blocked by the group.

As agents attempted to get by, protestors appeared to begin banging on the windows of the car as it continued forward. Simultaneously, a large group of the protestors positioned themselves in front of the SUV as it made its way toward the processing center.

Protestors began retreating when the agents appeared to begin firing pepper balls.

It does not appear that anyone was seriously injured amid the clash.

Agents also fired pepper balls at the protestors who had positioned themselves at another one of the facility’s entrances. It was the same entrance where several protests have taken place in recent days, but protestors are now gathering at both entrances.

SkyCam 9 was over the scene around 8 a.m. when some type of smoke could be seen moving through the air as protestors approached a group of agents.

At least one protestor could be spotted throwing back a canister emitting smoke that had been deployed by the agents.

The clash appeared to come to an end after the agents retreated behind a gate to the facility.

Friday’s clash is not the first; just last week, a similar scene unfolded when protesters clashed with agents outside the facility, prompting agents to deploy tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

Ongoing protests

Friday’s demonstrations come after days of protest regarding an immigration enforcement operation the Trump administration has dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz,” which focuses on Chicago and Illinois.

In the weeks since the operation began, dozens of arrests have been made.

But the operation has been met with significant pushback from state and local leaders as well as community members, including those who make up “rapid response teams,” who have been making their presence known on the streets of Chicagoland.

ICE activity has been reported in Wheaton and Elgin recently and agents also appeared to target roofers in Naperville, leaving workers and residents shaken.

Just a day before Friday’s protests, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol boats were spotted on the Chicago River.