Video shows ICE 'operation' in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, officials confirm 2 arrested

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two men were arrested in Chicago's Southwest Side by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

"It is frightening," 25th Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez said. "This can happen to anybody. We've seen legal residents, even U.S. citizens that have been detained. We cannot normalize this."

The arrests happened near 18th and Carpenter streets around 8:30 a.m. on Monday.

Video shared with ABC7 shows several people wearing FBI vests in the neighborhood.

In one video, a man is seen taken away in handcuffs. He then looks at the camera and gives his name.

"They came into my house without permission. Pointing at me with weapons," the man says in Spanish.

The FBI released the following statement confirming their involvement in the raid:

"We can confirm that the FBI was supporting Department of Homeland Security immigration enforcement operations at a residence in the referenced vicinity earlier today which resulted in the apprehension of two subjects."

According to the FBI, this was not a raid, but a "targeted enforcement operation."

The immigration status of the two men has not been made public.

Residents told ABC7 agents were after one man and his roommate inadvertently got caught up in the operation.

"As we can tell from many witnesses and video footage. There was not even an attempt to identify the individual so we can process," Sigcho-Lopez said.

Neighbors shared dismay with ABC7. They acknowledged the man had at least one previous run in with police, but were unsure what that was.

"The man had been going to court. He had been wearing an ankle bracelet," resident Martha Herrera said. "I don't like it. We're being targeted regardless. And that's not right."

According to witnesses, the man worked at a Mexican restaurant around the corner. They told ABC7 he had just gotten off work when agents arrived. He tried to get away from agents by running into the restaurant, and then out the back door. That is where he was arrested.

The owner telling ABC7 agents did not present a warrant as they entered the restaurant to give chase.

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Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García issued the following statement:

"I have been in contact with Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and local stakeholders to offer assistance and get more information about what happened yesterday in Pilsen, when federal agents took two Mexican nationals into custody.
Local grassroots organizations responded to provide support, and they are trying to get more information about the two individuals.
While we do not know if the agents presented any warrants before detaining them, any apprehension without due process, including no warrants, is unfair and illegal.
Chicago is a sanctuary city, and in Illinois, the Trust Act prohibits State or local law enforcement's participation in federal immigration enforcement.
My staff and I will continue to be in communication with advocacy organizations and local elected officials as this case develops."

Video from the scene also shows a Chicago police officer and her squad car.

A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department issued the following statement:

"An officer was en route to court and observed law enforcement activity. Upon learning this activity was related to civil immigration enforcement, the officer immediately left the scene. At no point did the officer assist in immigration enforcement."

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