6 days ago
Reported arrest prompts crowd activity at immigration supervision building in Chicago
CHICAGO (WGN) — News of another arrest, reportedly at the hands of ICE agents in Chicago's South Loop, has advocates again lamenting whether proper protocol is being followed.
WGN News cameras rolled as advocates gathered outside the BI Incorporated building Wednesday afternoon, on South Michigan Avenue near the city's South Side. BI Incorporated is a government contractor that operates the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) for immigrants, utilizing ankle bracelets and other monitoring devices as an alternative to detention.
Advocates say they were tipped off that ICE was possibly detaining people early Wednesday morning when a woman who is part of the ISAP program showed up for a check-in she received via text message earlier in the week.
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Antonio Gutierrez, with Communities Against Deportation, said that the woman's attorneys were not allowed inside with her.
'She was told to come today, no set time, no reason as to why. We also have learned that other people in Chicago who are in the ISAP program, family members of other individuals who are physically detained at this building right now,' Gutierrez said.
The crowd gathering reportedly lasted for hours until federal agents emerged, leading people with their hands tied in front of them to a white van in the street.
At this time, it is unclear how many people are inside or the cause of their reported detainment, but Chicago Ald. Anthony Quezada (35th Ward) estimates that agents took 10 people into custody.
The alderman also revealed that ICE agents shoved him down three times during their attempts to take people into custody.
Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward) told WGN News it's shameful what's transpiring in the city.
'What we saw here today…masked individuals. These people are not law enforcement. These are masked individuals. These are Proud Boys (that) don't show their faces. They're kidnapping people, and here in Chicago, we are saying no to the fascist dictator who is kidnapping people,' The alder said. 'There was a mother who had a 10-year-old boy who now has no mother. [Expletive] ICE and Abolish ICE!'
WGN News reached out to ICE for additional information is awaiting a response.
Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines
Local police responded to the scene to help with crowd control in the interest of public safety. But advocates at the scene accuse police of protecting the immigration enforcement, which they say is prohibited.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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