Yesterday morning in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, U.S. Border Patrol agents were attacked during immigration enforcement operations. According to the Department of Homeland Security, a hostile crowd surrounded the agents as they apprehended a subject. During the incident, a man driving a black Jeep Wrangler fired several gunshots at the agents before fleeing.
Following this, individuals threw bricks and paint cans from rooftops, damaging Border Patrol vehicles. The Chicago Police Department assisted federal law enforcement in evacuating the area as additional projectiles were thrown at their vehicles. No injuries to Border Patrol agents were reported.
After leaving the initial scene, Border Patrol encountered another vehicle that attempted to ram their convoy at Cermak and California. The attempt was stopped by deploying a Controlled Tire Deflation Device. Later, near an FBI facility, two drivers tried to impede law enforcement operations; one driver attempted to ram the convoy after being warned and was arrested. Rioters also tried to breach security at the FBI facility but were prevented by police securing the perimeter.
The agents then faced protesters lying in the street near 26th and Pulaski who began throwing objects when instructed to disperse. Border Patrol used crowd control measures to clear the area and continued on to a Sam’s Club parking lot where individuals followed them and rammed one of their vehicles. Three suspects were arrested for assault during this encounter.
As law enforcement left the parking lot, they experienced another attack resulting in broken windows and became stuck at 26th and Kostner where another vehicle ramming occurred; this suspect remains at large.
In total, eight U.S. citizens and one undocumented immigrant were arrested following these incidents.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented: “JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson have fueled an environment of lawlessness and assault on federal law enforcement,” she said. “In less than three hours in Chicago, Border Patrol faced gunshots, violent mobs at every stop, bricks and other objects thrown at them, and four vehicle rammings. The violence in Chicago against law enforcement is unprecedented—These attacks are the consequence of vitriolic smears from sanctuary politicians and the media. Just last week, Chicago and national media falsely accused law enforcement of raiding a daycare center. Now, they are silent when our agents come under gunfire."
“Make no mistake: Our mission will continue despite the violence. To any Antifa terrorist in Chicago: You will not stop us. You will not slow us down. And if you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will face the consequences.”
