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Fencing put up around suburban Chicago ICE processing center
A new fence now separates protesters from ICE agents outside the Broadview immigration facility.
CHICAGO - New security barriers have been installed outside the ICE processing facility in Broadview following a tense protest last week that included tear gas, pepper balls and several arrests.
What we know:
A tall fence now blocks access to Beach Street near the building, allowing transport vehicles and ICE agents to enter and exit without coming face-to-face with demonstrators.
The new security measures keep protesters further from the building and its driveways. Demonstrators have shouted at workers and previously used their bodies to block vehicles from entering and leaving.
A small group of protesters gathered early Tuesday, some using loudspeakers to shout at arriving agents from behind the barricade.
Protests are scheduled for 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesday and again after 6 p.m.
What they're saying:
Elias Cepeda, who runs a mixed martial arts academy and is part of the group Pilsen & Defense Access, said the lack of signage has created fear and confusion.
"There’s no signage here. There's no signage saying what happens if I go along the public road. Will you be shot by snipers facing the wall, as we were shot on Friday and gassed? Will you have federal charges lobbed against you? Will the police who are standing by saying they can't do anything about the federal government violating municipal law arrest you? It’s unknown and it’s a bit scary," Cepeda said.
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Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago area yields more than 500 arrests, DHS says
Through the second week of Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, the Department of Homeland Security said it’s detained more than 500 individuals since the start of the stepped-up immigration enforcement efforts.
ICE uses the Broadview facility to process undocumented immigrants arrested during Operation Midway Blitz and Operation At Large.
Federal officials said 500 people have been taken into custody in recent weeks at workplaces, homes and public spaces.
Protests escalated Friday when ICE agents fired pepper balls and tear gas at crowds multiple times, threw two women to the ground and arrested 16 people.
Homeland Security described the demonstrators as rioters.
Cepeda said he was struck several times during the clash.
"I got hit a couple times, one of them left a bruise. Luckily, none of them hit me in my face. There were protesters who have been here much longer than me and they were hit in much worse places than I was, but yeah, we were gassed," Cepeda said.
Activists, including Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward, vowed to keep demonstrating until the facility is closed.
"We continue and we will not stop until we get ICE and these facilities out of our city, out of our state of Illinois," Sigcho-Lopez said. "It is inhumane. We have been talking with people who have been detained only because the way they look, that is racial profiling is a shame, is unjust, and we cannot stand for that."
Area federal and local law enforcement officers remain on site as more demonstrations are expected.
The Source: The information in this article came from the Department of Homeland Security, Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and live reporting from FOX 32's Joanie Lum.