ICE sightings reported across Chicago as students return to school

CHICAGO - Several communities are on edge after reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity surfaced across Chicago on the first day of school.

Back-to-school ICE sightings

What we know:

Ald. Julia Ramirez (12th) said there were several reported ICE sightings Monday, including in McKinley Park, near 63rd Street and Pulaski Road, and near a Home Depot at 47th Street and Western Avenue.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show federal immigration agents in the McKinley Park area. The reports could not be independently verified.

Ramirez also said ICE agents were involved in a crash on I-55 near the Damen Avenue exit. She said a Hispanic man driving a blue pickup truck was pursued by agents, crashed into a concrete wall and was detained.

Illinois State Police responded to the scene and said it was a two-vehicle crash. Officials said ICE agents were in one of the vehicles.

Ramirez said the reported activity prompted some community members to take to the streets and blow whistles to warn others about possible ICE activity.

"Calculated effort"

What they're saying:

She said the reports were particularly concerning as families were taking their children to school.

"I think it really is this calculated effort, people having to take their kids to school potentially profiling people by the Home Depot. The individuals they crashed into was in a pickup truck, a ladder in the back, Hispanic male. They didn’t have a warrant for his arrest, but they are out profiling people to detain them." Ald. Ramirez said. 

There were also reports of possible ICE activity near schools.

Chicago Public Schools said no incidents were reported. Fox Chicago also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) but did not receive a response. 

The reports come as students across Chicago returned to class for the first day of the new school year.

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