(NewsNation) — Officials in the western Chicago suburb of Broadview say Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency officers warned local police there will be a “s— show” in the village Saturday as protesters continued clashing with federal authorities at an ICE detention center.
A village spokesperson said ICE officers told the Broadview Police Department on Saturday that federal authorities would launch an “enforcement action throughout all of Broadview” and again deploy chemical agents. David Ormsby said the ICE comments are seen as retaliation for Broadview leaders urging the Trump administration not to “make war” on the community.
“ICE is seeking to intimidate the Village of Broadview because we dared exercise our 1st Amendment constitutional rights calling for an end to their war on Broadview. We will not be intimidated,” Ormsby said in a news release.
In an emailed response to NewsNation, ICE denied its officers made threats. “This is made up. Our law enforcement enforces the rule of law. Period,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.
NewsNation correspondent Mills Hayes was at the ICE facility Saturday evening as officers made arrests and deployed tear gas and other non-lethal methods meant to repel crowds. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino, whose department is handling security, was on hand.
A protester who identified herself as Amanda Starr of Wisconsin said she returned to the ICE detention center in Broadview, even after being struck by a rubber bullet on Friday.
“If they’re treating protesters like that, out in the open, how are they treating people in that building?” she said.
The suburban ICE facility has been the backdrop for tense encounters between federal authorities and protesters who oppose the Trump administration’s mass deportations of undocumented individuals. The White House launched “Operation Midway Blitz” earlier this month in Chicago, a sanctuary city at odds with Trump policies. Demonstrators are trying to impede operations at the Broadview facility.
Despite the clashes, ICE officials said 40 migrants were arrested as part of the operation Saturday.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, blamed the Trump administration for setting the stage for trouble.
“Donald Trump is using federal agents to stoke fear and violate constitutional rights — all with the aims of expanding his control and sending military troops to our cities. It’s unlawful and un-American. We must all stand up and speak out against fanning the flames of violence,” he said.