Protesters chant, sing outside Broadview ICE facility, plan recurring Saturday demonstrations

Eva Remijan-Toba, Chicago Tribune on Feb 14, 2026

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CHICAGO — Around 50 people attended a peaceful rally Saturday outside the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center, which became a focal point for protests last fall during Operation Midway Blitz, a 64-day surge of immigration enforcement raids throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

“It’s fitting to be here on Valentine’s Day,” Little Village community organizer Jasmine said to the crowd. “Happy Valentine’s Day to everybody except (expletive) ICE.”

Jasmine, who chose to be identified only by their first name for fear of being doxxed, was among several speakers who gathered Saturday outside the west suburban facility to protest recent federal enforcement actions.

“Even though fear is at times more present than joy, there is unity across national lines,” Jasmine said. “We are fighting alongside our immigrant working-class siblings from around the world.”

Saturday’s demonstration came during a nationwide effort by young people to protest ICE. On Friday afternoon, hundreds of students walked out of their schools and gathered in downtown’s Federal Plaza to advocate for immigrant communities.

Ian, who also chose to go by his first name, is part of an autonomous group that organizes regular protests against ICE. He has attended demonstrations in Broadview since September and served as the rally’s emcee.

“I am tired of having to decide between spending time with my children or fighting to make sure this country is still a safe place for them to grow up,” Ian said to the crowd.

Ian and other organizers said they plan to hold recurring protests outside the Broadview facility every Saturday at noon. Information is shared through the Chicago organizing and mutual aid social media page, @chicago_fights_back on Instagram.

“I can’t sleep because when I close my eyes, I see the 6-year-old girl I watched at the former Lexington (St.) care tent while her mom attempted to deliver diabetes medication to her father at the facility,” Ian said. “I see Silverio (Villegas González), I see Keith (Porter Jr), I see Renee (Nicole Good) and I see Alex (Pretti).”

All four are among those who have died at the hands of ICE.

Between speakers, the Songs for Liberation Protest Music Collective performed “Abolish ICE.” Those familiar with the song sang along, and others joined in as they learned the lyrics. “This is for our people who are locked inside, together we will abolish ICE,” the crowd sang. “This is for our workers who are forced to hide. Together we will abolish ICE.”

“The U.S. is funding these atrocities. That’s why we ain’t gonna stop, til Broadview is free!”

As the crowd sang, protesters held signs aloft. Among them was Ryan Hatfield, 40, and his wife, who carried a heart-shaped Valentine’s candy-style sign reading “F**K ICE.”

The couple said they chose to spend Valentine’s Day in Broadview out of frustration with what Hatfield described as a federal crackdown on people who “made this country great.”

“I want to see ICE out of Chicago, out of our cities,” Hatfield said. “I want to see them doing what they initially said they were going to do, which is cracking down on people that are, you know, the worst criminals. Not people dropping their kids off in daycare, not people working jobs, trying to provide for their families and not committing crimes.”

Earlier this week, Cook County prosecutors dropped charges against 19 people arrested during a clergy-led protest at the Broadview facility last November. Faith leaders had sought to provide religious counseling to detainees but were denied entry. Clashes with local law enforcement followed, and 21 people were arrested. Most cases have been dismissed, though two people still face charges.

Isaac Palmer, 24, one of the first protesters to arrive Saturday, carried a megaphone and wore a Captain America shield with a matching shirt.

“First, they came to our area,” Palmer said, referencing federal agents. “They were picking up a lot of people simply based on the color of their skin.”

Although he appeared to be the only superhero-themed protester at Saturday’s rally, Palmer said he has seen others dressed as comic book characters at past demonstrations.

“This isn’t like the comic books where the villains are pretend,” Palmer said. “We’re fighting real injustice.”

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