Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

Legal battle continues over federal agents' use of force, judge requests updates from Border Patrol chief

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Last updated: Sunday, November 9, 2025 10:53PM GMT
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The Chicago area is seeing an increase in federal immigration enforcement.

President Donald Trump says the surge in immigration enforcement activity in the Chicago area is about getting dangerous criminals off the streets.

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Some 300 federal agents are using North Chicago's Naval Station Great Lakes as the logistical hub for ramped-up operations.

Protesters and federal agents have continued to clash outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center in Broadview, Illinois.

ABC7 is tracking the latest news in the city and suburbs. Here are the latest developments.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Nov 03, 2025, 10:52 PM GMT

Federal immigration agents detain man at Prospect Heights apartment complex

Federal agents gathered outside of a Prospect Heights apartment complex just before 10 a.m. Monday.

As the agents dressed in uniform walked on the property, numerous residents blew whistles and recorded video on their phones.

It is unclear who they were possibly looking for, but a few minutes after 10 a.m., they took a man into custody. Friends said he does not live there but was stopping by to give a coworker a ride to work.

One woman, who wants only her first name, Adriana, used, was recording from her balcony.

"They don't care if you're a citizen or not. They just grab whoever they want to grab," Adriana said.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately return ABC7's requests for information. Click here for more.

Nov 03, 2025, 10:46 PM GMT

Family say they were blocked from visiting man at hospital after he was hurt in Border Patrol arrest

Relatives of a man who they allege was hurt while being arrested by Border Patrol agents say they were blocked from seeing him in the hospital.

The arrest happened over the weekend.

Video shows Ricardo Aguayo Rodriguez wrestling with federal agents.

His family says he suffered serious head and face injuries.

He has since been released from the hospital and remains in federal custody.

A spokesperson for Gottleib Hospital said they were following protocol. In a statement, they said, "When law enforcement personnel come to our hospitals to seek medical care for a patient in their custody, we provide compassionate care and the patient remains in the custody of law enforcement."

A Department of Homeland Security released a statement, saying, "On November 2, U.S. Border Patrol was conducting an immigration enforcement operation in Melrose Park, Illinois, to arrest Ricardo Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico. His criminal history includes previous convictions for assault and battery as well as possession of a controlled substance. Agents approached Rodriguez and upon noticing the agents, he abandoned his bicycle and fled on foot. Border Patrol pursuit Rodriguez and attempted to detain him. He actively resisted and assaulted law enforcement. The agent deployed pepper spray to deescalate the situation and stop the assaults. After Rodriquez continued to violently resist and put law enforcement in danger, the agent delivered strikes as a last resort. As a precaution, Border Patrol took the suspect to a hospital for medical treatment. He will remain in custody under medical supervision pending removal proceedings. This incident is another example of the violence our brave law enforcement faces every day. Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons, violence and only use physical force as a last resort when repeated warnings have been given."

The family is expected to hold a rally for Rodriguez on Monday evening. Click here for more.

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Nov 03, 2025, 7:16 PM GMT

Faith leaders denied entry to Broadview ICE facility to offer detainees Communion

Hundreds celebrated Catholic Mass outside the Broadview U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility Sunday for All Saints' Day.

For the second time in three weeks, faith leaders tried to bring Communion to the detainees.

Hundreds celebrated Catholic Mass outside the Broadview U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility Sunday for All Saints' Day.

But they said they were denied entry again.

The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, who led the Mass, said that despite formally requesting access with 10 days' notice, they were turned away.

Nov 03, 2025, 3:59 AM GMT

Chicago communities brace for more immigration raids as Trump says 'they haven't gone far enough'

On CBS' "60 Minutes" on Sunday night, President Donald Trump said it will take "a lot of time" before his administration declares "mission accomplished" on its immigration enforcement efforts.

In a Hyde Park yarn shop on Sunday, residents came together, not to knit, but to assemble whistle kits, the kind that are being handed out in neighborhoods across the city to alert people when federal agents are in the area.

"I think all of us feel a little bit helpless, and we're all trying to find that little niche and that little way we can help out," said Tina Miklas with Fiber Friend Studios.

"I have been looking for a way to be a part of the resistant, to find a way to help, because it's very hard to watch all the things that are going on," said volunteer Beth Chipchak.

The event, which drew in folks from across the city, took place just hours before "60 Minutes" broadcasted an interview with Trump in which he was asked about some of the violent actions federal agents have been seen taking against those taking part in that resistance. He was asked if some of the raids have gone too far.

"No, I think they haven't gone far enough, because we've been held back by the judges, by the liberal judges who were put in by Biden and by Obama," Trump said.

When asked if he's OK with the tactics being used, the president responded, "Yeah, because you've got to get the people out."

Meanwhile, in west suburban Addison, some remain on edge. One week after agents were seen breaking an SUV's windows and arresting two people at La Huerta supermarket, they were back again on Sunday, causing an immediate reaction from rapid response teams in the area.

"We are a diverse community, and I do feel they are targeting Addison specifically because we do have a huge immigrant population. And they are here to intimidate and terrorize the community," said rapid responder Maria Sinkule.

Trump stood his ground in that "60 Minutes" interview, insisting that those being arrested and deported, are, as he and others in his administration have said over and over, "the worst of the worst." According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 3,000 people have been arrested during operation "Midway Blitz." Click here for more.