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CHICAGO — Federal agents descended upon North Side neighborhoods on Saturday as part of “Operation Midway Blitz,” a significant enforcement initiative.
As agents conducted operations on the Northwest Side, an elementary school was forced to make last-minute adjustments to a community celebration when several individuals were detained nearby, and tear gas was reportedly used.
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The situation escalated when Luis Villegas, reportedly in the midst of a project, was pursued and arrested by federal authorities in front of a residence in Old Irving Park. Witnesses claim that neighbors emerged to support Villegas, leading to the deployment of tear gas.
This incident had a ripple effect, disrupting a beloved Halloween tradition for children in the area.
In a poignant moment, a teenager was seen pleading with federal agents as his eldest brother was taken away in handcuffs by immigration officials.
A teenager pleaded with federal agents as his oldest brother was led away in handcuffs by immigration officers.
“It takes a toll on me because I’m the one that’s responsible for him, at the end of the day,” Julian Villegas said. “He’s working over here for me, and all this happening, putting him in danger is just… I feel guilty.”
It happened Saturday morning while Luis Villegas, a 35-year-old father and construction worker with his brother’s business, was working on this home near Kildare and Waveland. Neighbors were seen trying to assist as whistles are blaring.
Villegas’ family says he is an undocumented immigrant and has lived in the Chicago-area for most of his life after coming from Mexico with his family at 4 years old.
Witnesses say a woman and man, seen in a video obtained by ABC7, were detained. ABC7 has blurred their faces since it’s unclear if they face charges.
“The man is my neighbor, who lives right here. He’s 70-years-old or about,” neighbor Brian Kolp said. “They essentially hauled him out the driver side of his car and threw him on the ground.”
During the confrontation, apparent tear gas was deployed, clouding the very street where kids, in their costumes, were supposed to march in a neighborhood Halloween parade.
“We were supposed to be standing on this corner with hundreds of families just walking around, and we’re just being terrorized by ICE,” neighbor Anna Ware said. “Instead, we’re keeping ourselves together, resisting with joy at Disney II [Magent School], doing a parade around the track.”
City leaders are condemning the federal actions that unfolded.
“Lawyers are doing their job of holding these agents accountable, and working through the courts, using the legal process that we have to challenge what is happening,” said Beatriz Ponce de León, Chicago Deputy Mayor of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights.
ABC7 reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol for comment on Saturday’s operations but have not heard back.
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino has been ordered by a federal judge to appear in court on Tuesday.
Protest held in Little Village
People in the Little Village neighborhood marched on 26th Street Saturday to protest the immigration crackdown.
Federal agents have often been seen in the neighborhood since operation midway blitz started.
DHS comments on Friday’s North Side operations
The Department of Homeland Security is responding after tear gas was deployed Friday during an immigration operation on Chicago’s North Side. It happened at Henderson and Lakewood.
DHS says “agitators” swarmed federal agents and impeded operations, and when agents used crowd control measures, people threw objects at them. That’s when tear gas was used.
Agents detained at least one construction worker. ABC7 blurred that person’s face in a video of their detainment because it’s unclear if any charges were filed.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson issued a statement on Saturday, saying, “Border Patrol agents were swarmed by agitators during enforcement operations near Lakewood Avenue in Chicago. The agitators obstructed federal law enforcement and ignored multiple warnings to disperse and continued to impede operations, including trying to deflate a vehicles tire. Agents deployed crowd control measures to disperse the crowd and agitators began throwing objects at them. To protect themselves, the Border Patrol deployed additional to safely clear the area.
Our officers are facing a surge in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members. Secretary Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. CBP and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Border Patrol agents repeated multiple warnings to back up and that chemical agents would be deployed if warnings were ignored. Riot control measures were deployed, including by Chief Bovino, and arrests were made. Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public.”
