Federal Agents Use Tear Gas as Albany Park Residents Block Immigration Arrest
In Albany Park, federal agents used tear gas on Sunday as residents attempted to block an immigration arrest. This incident occurred amidst escalating tensions regarding immigration enforcement in Chicago.
Federal Agents Clash with Albany Park Residents
On a Sunday afternoon, local couple Gabriel Paez and Megan Dougherty witnessed federal agents confronting a neighbor near Wilson and Sawyer avenues. The agents were clad in bulletproof vests and had their faces covered.
Community Response
As Paez shouted warnings in Spanish to alert neighbors, Dougherty recorded the encounter. Their presence prompted the agents to release the neighbor, which Paez attributes to the supportive community reaction.
- Paez urged neighbors to close their doors.
- Residents soon confronted the agents, forming a human chain to block them.
This confrontation led the agents to deploy tear gas on the crowd. Despite the use of non-lethal force, some residents continued to vocalize their discontent.
Recent Immigration Enforcement Efforts
This incident is part of Operation Midway Blitz, an initiative focusing on immigration enforcement that has seen increased community resistance. Just a day prior, around 400 residents gathered in Rogers Park to protest ICE arrests, which included a local tamale vendor.
Residents took a stand by physically blocking agents’ vehicles. One resident, in a bathrobe, was reportedly hit by an agent’s car, resulting in a split toenail.
Public Officials React
Alderman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez and state Senator Graciela Guzman were alerted and rushed to the scene but arrived post-confrontation. Rodriguez-Sanchez praised community bravery, highlighting the immediate support shown among neighbors.
Legal Controversies
The use of tear gas by federal agents has raised legal concerns, especially since a federal judge had issued a temporary restraining order restricting such tactics. This order mandates that agents provide verbal warnings before using crowd control methods.
- Agents must give two warnings before deploying tear gas or similar tactics.
- Measures prohibit targeting demonstrators and journalists.
Despite these restrictions, Rodriguez-Sanchez noted that federal agencies appeared to act defiantly. She emphasized the strength of the Albany Park community in facing immigration enforcement challenges.
