Chicago alderperson sues federal agents over hospital confrontation

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team has learned a Chicago alderperson has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the federal government after a physical confrontation last year with immigration agents ended with her in handcuffs, and her ward on-edge.

The incident was captured on cell-phone video on Oct. 3, 2025, at the Humboldt Health safety-net hospital.

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In the video, reviewed by the I-Team, Alderperson Jesse Fuentes of the 26th Ward can be seen asking agents if they had a warrant to arrest a patient seeking care at the hospital, but the agents refused to answer, and eventually, Fuentes was put in handcuffs.

"The U.S. employees, aware that she was an elected official and that she was not violating any law, physically shoved her, grabbed her,

swore at her, threatened her, and handcuffed her, causing physical, psychological, and emotional injuries," Fuentes lawsuit states.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a previous statement to the I-Team in part, "Fuentes was escorted out in handcuffs but never placed under arrest. Once agents removed her from the area, she was free to go."

This incident took place during "Operation Midway Blitz" the government's codename for enhanced immigration enforcement in the Chicago area that led to many violent encounters between Chicagoans and immigration agents.

In the lawsuit, Fuentes said she was called by Humboldt Health leadership to the hospital, "requesting her presence at the hospital Emergency Room, because federal agents were present there, uninvited, frightening staff and patients."

Once she met the agents, she said they told her to, "Get the [expletive] out of here," before shoving her, and eventually taking her into custody.

This is a developing story. Check back with ABC7 for updates.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.