Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has publicly accused Evanston Mayor and congressional candidate Daniel Biss of “helping to fuel the agitation of an already tense situation” by participating in protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview. Biss has strongly denied these allegations, asserting that his presence was intended to support peaceful demonstrations against ICE practices.
During the protests, several congressional candidates, including Biss, reported being teargassed by federal agents. Fellow 9th District rivals, Bushra Amiwala and Kat Abughazaleh, also shared their experiences of the chaotic scene, with Abughazaleh captured in a video being forcibly taken to the ground by a federal officer. The criticism directed at Biss from Mayor Thompson was particularly pointed due to their shared status as mayors.
In a statement, Thompson expressed concern that Biss’ involvement exacerbated the already tense atmosphere, potentially putting local law enforcement officers, firefighters, demonstrators, and surrounding Proviso Township communities at risk. “He has lacked the decency and respect to call me or to notify my office when he comes to my community to engage in provocative campaign activities at the ICE facility,” Thompson stated. “Broadview would be better served by the presence of Evanston police officers helping to bolster our small force to protect demonstrators rather than a candidate creating Instagram videos and giving media interviews boosting his campaign.”
Biss refuted Thompson's claims, asserting that the true danger lies in the actions of ICE rather than the protests. “The only people endangered right now are our neighbors being abducted off the street and the peaceful protesters being teargassed by masked federal agents,” he stated. Biss encouraged Thompson to join the protests instead of criticizing them, emphasizing the need for unity against ICE’s “illegal, immoral and dangerous tactics.”
The protests outside the ICE facility also featured deeply personal stories. Sisters Milagros Pelayo and Yessenia Garcia received a call from their father, who has been detained at the facility since September 10. “He said he saw us on the news,” Milagros recounted. “He knows we’re out here. He said he feels proud of us.” Their father, Rosalio Pelayo Salgado, informed them that he was scheduled for deportation, raising their concerns about his well-being and treatment inside the facility.
Milagros shared the distressing details of her father's conditions, stating that detainees are subjected to harsh treatment, including limited access to food and water based on their behavior. “He’s feeling upset and anxious,” she said, detailing how her father has been denied his anxiety medication and has had his glasses discarded, impairing his vision. Despite the troubling news, she felt reassured by hearing his voice.
The National Lawyers Guild of Chicago reported that federal agents used “severe violence” against protesters at the Broadview ICE facility, with agents employing pepper balls and tear gas indiscriminately. Legal observers noted that agents aggressively removed seated protesters from the scene, escalating the confrontation. While local police were present, they did not engage in the violence or arrests, according to reports from the Guild.
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino appeared on Fox News, discussing recent immigration arrests in the Chicago area and emphasizing the success of ongoing operations against undocumented immigrants. “Great success here in Chicagoland,” Bovino commented, as he detailed the scale of ICE’s efforts, which have included several hundred arrests in the past week. He characterized Chicago as a “non-permissive environment” for immigrants, attributing violence against law enforcement to the rhetoric of local Democratic leaders.
Activists like Esmeralda Valencia joined the protests to show solidarity with detained immigrants. “It’s horrible, it’s inhumane, it’s not right,” she lamented, reflecting on the conditions faced by those being targeted by ICE. Valencia, who moved to Chicago from California, expressed her commitment to raising community awareness about ICE activities. “Any opportunity that I have to drive around and alert the community about ICE, I will,” she affirmed.
This protest drew significant attention, particularly as it included multiple Democratic primary candidates from the 9th congressional district, including Biss, Amiwala, and Abughazaleh. With the upcoming Illinois primary scheduled for March 19, 2026, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s previous announcement of retirement, the political landscape is evolving rapidly. This district, known for its progressive stance, may see the ongoing activism against federal immigration operations play a crucial role in the candidates' campaigns.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the protests will influence the upcoming primary race, but the issue of federal immigration tactics continues to resonate deeply within this heavily Democratic district.
