Broadview braces for Increased ICE Enforcement, Chemical Deployment Possible
BROADVIEW, IL – Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are preparing to launch enforcement operations throughout the Village of Broadview, Illinois, possibly deploying chemical agents, according to a notification to village officials. The anticipated surge in activity follows the arrest of two protesters Friday, including Elias Cepeda, a 41-year-old volunteer with pilsen Defense and Access, who has been demonstrating at a local ICE facility for weeks.
the DHS commented on Cepeda’s arrest and the discovery of his firearm in a post to X, stating the incident occurred “just a few days after the horrific terrorist attack on an ICE facility in dallas.” cepeda’s mother has stated her son is a legal Concealed-carry License holder and is demanding his release. Demonstrators also reported the other individual arrested Friday is a military veteran.
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has urged residents to “take all necesary precautions to protect themselves and their families to stay out of harm’s way.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released a statement Friday criticizing the federal deployments, stating, “Public safety is always my top priority, and the Illinois State Police remain in close communication with the Broadview Police department to monitor and maintain public safety.” He further asserted that the Trump Management is “intentionally creating chaos to threaten sending military troops to American cities and suburbs,” and condemned the potential use of chemical agents against peaceful demonstrators.
“Illinois will always defend Americans’ right to peacefully protest and make their voices heard,” Pritzker stated. He urged the public to “remain calm, stay safe, and document what you see with your phones and cameras,” and indicated his senior team has asked legal organizations to monitor the situation.
