CHICAGO (AP) — Latino leaders in Chicago have expressed their deep concern over a series of recent immigration enforcement operations that have led to significant tension within the community. The incidents have drawn attention due to a fatal shooting during a traffic stop, the arrest of an immigrant at a barbershop, and a standoff between protesters and immigration agents at a processing facility.
On Friday, September 12, 2025, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez after he attempted to evade arrest by driving his car at officers, dragging one in the process. Villegas-Gonzalez was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, prompting outrage among immigrant advocates and community leaders.
In an additional incident on the same day, Willian Gimenez was pulled over while driving in Little Village, a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Chicago, and was subsequently detained by ICE agents. Kevin Herrera, Gimenez's attorney, suggested that this arrest could be linked to his client's involvement in a lawsuit against several parties, including Chicago leaders, Home Depot, and an off-duty police officer, over their treatment of immigrant workers. Herrera noted that Gimenez holds a work permit and is in the process of seeking asylum.
ICE officials stated that Gimenez was arrested for being in the country illegally, claiming he had a history of criminal trespassing and missed court appearances, including one in immigration court in April 2024. They asserted that "no one is above the law," emphasizing their commitment to enforcing immigration regulations.
During a press conference outside an ICE facility in Broadview, Congressman Chuy Garcia voiced his alarm over these developments. "If ICE can kill one of our neighbors in broad daylight... if they can arrest someone for joining a lawsuit or simply for being Latino, what’s to stop them from getting any one of us?" Garcia asked, highlighting the fear and uncertainty permeating immigrant communities.
Additionally, Representative Delia Ramirez called for a thorough investigation into the traffic stop that resulted in Villegas-Gonzalez’s death and emphasized the need for community solidarity in the wake of these events. The broader response included a planned 12-hour demonstration outside the ICE facility, which saw clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers equipped with riot gear and gas masks, triggering ongoing demonstrations in light of increased immigration enforcement in the area.
The operation, dubbed "Operation Midway Blitz" by the Department of Homeland Security, aims to target "criminal illegal aliens" and challenges sanctuary laws in Illinois. The DHS stated that people migrated to Chicago under the belief that the state's policies offered them protection, allowing them to live without fear of deportation.
Democratic Governor JB Pritzker has emerged as one of the staunchest critics of the Trump administration's immigration policies, which have resulted in heightened anxiety among immigrants, particularly with celebrations for Mexican Independence Day scheduled for September 16. Many fear that increased enforcement during this time could lead to further confrontations and arrests.
The recent incidents signify a growing tension between immigration enforcement agencies and immigrant communities, as leaders and activists continue to advocate for the rights and protections of undocumented individuals in Chicago and beyond.
