Federal Agents Arrest Southwest Side Organizers As They Filmed ICE Activity, Officials Say

Federal agents arrested several immigrant rights organizers in Chicago's Southwest Side on Sunday while they were filming ICE activity. According to local officials, the organizers were followed and harassed by federal officers who threatened them with firearms. The Southwest Side Rapid Response Team claimed the detentions were illegal and lacked any stated reason. Civil rights organizations have reported similar incidents, indicating a pattern of unlawful arrests by federal agents without warrants. Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the patrols as a "brazen provocation" by the Trump administration, emphasizing the need to protect First Amendment rights.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have filed court notices regarding multiple unlawful arrests since May. Additionally, reports emerged of armed border patrol agents detaining individuals based on their appearance in high-traffic areas. This escalation of federal actions against residents raises significant concerns about civil liberties in Chicago.