Protesters and senators gather at Broadview ICE facility amid legal battles

BROADVIEW, Ill. (WGN) — Protesters returned to the ICE processing center in Broadview Friday, gathering for another day of demonstrations that stretched into the evening despite a village curfew requiring protests to end at 6 p.m.

More than 150 people arrived Friday morning, and while the demonstrations initially remained peaceful, WGN-TV crews on scene saw at least four protesters get arrested.

At one point, two protesters were seen crossing concrete barriers guarding the roads into the facility, but state police quickly swarmed them, pushing protesters back behind the barriers.

“I don’t agree with getting in front of a car and stopping an ICE agent from doing his job, but I want to be here to say this is wrong,” protester Brad Phillips said.

Tensions also flared between protesters and counter protesters.

“I’ve had a couple of people threaten to beat me up,” counter protester Cam Higby said.

The facility also received a visit from Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. They said they’ve been trying to get into the facility for weeks, but their requests have been denied. 

Speaking to reporters, the senators voiced support for a federal court ruling issued Thursday that partially halted the deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois.

“Let me make it clear what the Trump administration is trying to do. They are trying to normalize having troops on our streets, and they’re doing this all across this great nation,” Duckworth said. “They’re trying to normalize an extension of presidential power. That is not appropriate under the constitution.”

The Trump administration said troops were sent to Chicago to support ICE and protect federal property. While troops were reportedly seen in Broadview earlier in the week, none were present at the facility on Friday.

“Let’s put the federal resources in with the state and local resources and do it together in a cooperative fashion, not force it down our threats with sending in troops from Texas,” Durbin said.

In a separate development Friday, a federal judge ordered that the use of a fence surrounding the facility must cease for now. The ruling does not permanently remove the barrier, but it requires both the Village of Broadview and federal officials to submit proposals outlining their next steps.

The plans, which were due by 2 p.m. Friday, must include a timeline for dismantling and removing the fence.