UPDATE: A group of faith leaders faced intense police resistance today at the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility during a protest and Mass for All Saints Day. As local officials denied their entry to connect with detainees, tensions escalated into clashes with law enforcement, marking a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for immigrant rights.
The protest began around 10 a.m. on November 1, 2025, outside the Broadview facility, where over 2,000 attendees gathered for a Mass led by faith leaders, including activist Sister JoAnn Persch. The group sought to enter the facility to offer Communion and spiritual support to immigrants detained inside, but their request was denied by federal immigration agents following a call from Illinois State Police.
Rev. Juan Vargas, an associate pastor at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, expressed deep concern over the situation, stating, “Unfortunately, we were denied entrance. But we still had our moment of spiritual communion with everyone who’s been detained.” This was the second attempt by the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership to access the facility, having previously made requests on October 24 and October 30.
The protest transitioned from a solemn Mass to a vibrant costume gathering, with attendees dressed as various characters to symbolize their message against ICE operations. The event included a “Jericho walk,” a symbolic act meant to disrupt the facility’s operations, as protesters marched back and forth across the designated crosswalk, chanting “ICE out of Chicago.”
As tensions rose, police began to push back against protesters. Reports indicate that during the clash, authorities arrested four individuals for disorderly conduct. The situation escalated further when police employed pepper balls against demonstrators, prompting outrage among the crowd. “You don’t protect us by taking away our civil liberties – that’s not protecting anybody,” stated a protester amidst the chaos.
Attendees created ofrendas for Día de Los Muertos, honoring those who lost their lives during immigration processes. Among the displays were photos of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, a man killed by immigration agents, highlighting the human impact of current immigration policies.
The ongoing protests are part of a broader movement responding to federal immigration actions under President Donald Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz. As local and state police worked to contain the demonstration, many activists voiced their determination to continue their fight for immigrant rights and transparency within the facility.
With police declaring the protest an unlawful assembly as evening approached, authorities ordered demonstrators to disperse or face arrest. As the crowd began to leave, the message remained clear: the fight for immigrant rights continues, with community solidarity at its forefront.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation as activists pledge to persist in their advocacy for those affected by immigration policies.
