Multiple U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agents were present on Oak Park’s Village Hall property last week but reportedly left after a brief interaction with local police.
On Friday, Sept. 12th at approximately 10:45 a.m., multiple ICE agents met with members of the Oak Park Police Department in the parking lot of village hall at Madison Street and Lombard Avenue. The federal agents left the property after about 15 minutes “without issue,” according to village staff.
“The agents did not attempt to enter the building or engage with anyone else at that time,” Dan Yopchick, Oak Park spokesperson, told Wednesday Journal by email.
Oak Park has a sanctuary ordinance on its book that bars village employees from assisting ICE in any civil immigration investigation without a signed court order compelling them to do so.
ICE reportedly abducted two River Foresters on Thursday, Sept. 11 near North and Harlem, Wednesday Journal reported today.
On Friday morning in northwest suburban Franklin Park, ICE agents shot and killed 38-year-old Silverio Villegas González as the man reportedly attempted to flee a traffic stop, according to agency officials. An ICE agent who Department of Homeland Security officials said was dragged behind Gonzalez’ car during the incident was released from the hospital on Saturday, according to agency officials.
The incident came days after immigration enforcement efforts targeted the metro area dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz” by President Donald Trump. The expanded deportation effort caused widespread fear among immigrant communities in the city and suburbs.
Roughly 300 ICE agents have been stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base north of the city this month, according to federal officials.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, U.S. Rep. Delia C. Ramirez and IL Rep. Norma Hernandez condemned the fatal shooting and the agency’s ramped-up pressure on immigrants in the region.
“We warned that ICE’s aggressive tactics and disregard for due process were a violent escalation. This is precisely what the Trump administration sought when they declared the invasion of Chicago. We urge our community to remain peaceful; we also urge DHS and ICE to stop their inflammatory rhetoric and actions, and to be transparent about this incident, including through the release of relevant warrants and body camera footage.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also called for a transparent investigation into the killing last week.