BROADVIEW, Ill. – Protesters are scheduled to gather at the ICE processing center in Broadview on Friday for a 12-hour demonstration amid President Donald Trump’s ICE threats to Chicago.

After blocking a vehicle believed to be driven by an ICE agent last week, protesters will gather from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1930 Beach Street in Broadview.

“This facility is the heart of ICE operations in Chicago. It is the primary location people are taken to when they are arrested by ICE in Chicago. For the next 6 weeks, federal officials plan for it to be in near-constant operation,” said protest organizer Julia Rohan. “Every minute ICE cannot access this facility to facilitate their disappearances is a minute well spent.”

The backstory:

Last week, protesters blocked a vehicle they believed was being driven by an ICE agent as it attempted to enter the facility. FOX 32’s Joanie Lum was at the scene and reported that the driver was masked and wearing a hood.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stand guard as demonstrators protest outside of an ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois, US, on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned residents that he expected federa

Akeisha Lee, one of the protesters, said the group’s goal is clear.

“We’re hoping to literally stop the processes happening here, like very unapologetically,” she said. “We believe this place has no place in our community and we want to say as community members we’re not for it.”

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Lee described the tense moments when demonstrators blocked the law enforcement vehicle.

“Yes, it is frightening. Like, it does feel like this place is not interested in preserving human life. So why would they protect ours?” she said. “So I am scared out here honestly, but I have the opportunity here, so I will.”

Dig deeper:

ICE has been ramping up its mass deportation efforts since President Trump took office in January, including in large cities such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

In recent weeks, Trump has expressed interest in cracking down on crime in Chicago after a multi-agency surge in D.C. has led to a reported decrease in crime and hundreds of immigration-related arrests.

“I think it’s going to be very targeted towards a lot of people with criminal records either that have been let out of jail and maybe have been convicted or let out of jail pending trial,” former acting ICE Chief Jonathan Fahey said about Operation Midway Blitz, a new enforcement effort aimed at undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

What they’re saying:

“ICE has hidden themselves in Broadview after protest ran them out of Chicago,” said protest organizer Rachel Cohen. “Chicagoland does not want ICE presence here. We do not want federal agents disappearing our neighbors.”

“Pam Bondi and Donald Trump, for now, are backing down from their threats to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, and it’s important we keep the pressure up and make clear that our resistance is not specific to military deployment,” said Demi Palecek, a candidate for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. “Our organizing isn’t specific to the Guard. It’s in response to the government disappearing people.”

“Last week it became clear our presence makes a difference, so we’re motivated to keep showing up for our neighbors,” Cohen added.