CHICAGO — Concerns over potential immigration enforcement escalated on Father’s Day as multiple Chicago families received sudden case check-in requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting fears of deportations at the Broadview facility.
The incident unfolded at the Broadview Immigration Processing Center at 1930 Beach Street, where undocumented residents were unexpectedly contacted via email or text, requesting their appearance for continued immigration proceedings.
“She got blindsided, like I think everyone else,” said Francisco Ayala, who brought his daughter-in-law to the facility. “She had to come in and basically say, ‘I’m here to keep going with the status change.’”
Legal Teams and Lawmakers Step In
The messages arrived without warning and sent families scrambling for answers. Attorneys, including immigration lawyer Kelman Resnick, said attempts to contact federal officials were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, officials like Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) and State Sen. Graciela Guzman came out to support families.
“Many of the people we’ve seen today—their families are kids, they are children,” said Sigcho-Lopez. “We don’t want families to be separated.”
Some of those called in were allowed to return home under supervision with ankle monitors, according to Guzman, but advocates feared a broader effort tied to recent federal rhetoric.
Trump’s Deportation Statement Fuels Anxiety
Tensions were already high following a national statement from former President Donald Trump, who said he would launch the “largest Mass Deportation Operation of illegal aliens in history” in major U.S. cities, including Chicago. In a Truth Social post, Trump said cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago “use illegal aliens to expand their voter base and cheat in elections.”
His language prompted sharp criticism from immigration advocates, who say such statements embolden aggressive enforcement and create panic in vulnerable communities.
Unanswered Questions, Lingering Fear
Despite no confirmed mass raids on Sunday, uncertainty remains. Families say they were given no clarity about why Father’s Day was targeted or whether further actions are planned in the coming days.
“We’ve seen this before—people show up to appointments and don’t come back,” said one volunteer outside Broadview. “That fear stays with you.”
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