UIC students protest ICE detentions after viral video sparks outrage

CHICAGO (WGN) — A pair of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions sparked a protest Thursday on the University of Illinois Chicago campus after a widely shared video outraged viewers.

More than 100 students marched after a video captured on the edge of campus near the corner of Racine and Congress Parkway went viral. 

“It was definitely something that shook us, and we tried to mobilize as quickly as we could,” said UIC student Ari Mendoza.

Video shared with WGN-TV shows a group of federal agents taking a pair of women into custody. Many Mexican-American students attending UIC say the video and the heartwrenching screams heard are too much to bear.

A student named Luna, who declined to provide her last name to WGN, organized Thursday’s rally and the subsequent march to UIC’s administration building.

“It’s terrible. It’s traumatic,” she said. “Those screams are what haunt me at night.”

UIC Police contend the incident occurred off campus. University administrators also weighed in, acknowledging the concern the incident has created.

“We respect the right of individuals to express their views and advocate for change. UIC continues to listen and engage with our community to ensure that our policies and practices reflect our values and responsibilities,” wrote a university spokesperson.

WGN-TV reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment, but has not yet received a response as of the time of publication.