Early Friday morning, federal agents patrolling near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, faced a harrowing attack. Multiple vehicles rammed and boxed in the agents, forcing them to exit their cars on foot. The situation escalated when one of the attackers brandished a semi-automatic firearm, prompting law enforcement to fire in self-defense, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explained, “Our officers were rammed and trapped by 10 vehicles. One of the drivers was armed, forcing our team to respond with defensive shots.” The woman involved had previously been flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as a security threat due to online threats against federal agents.
Thankfully, no officers were seriously injured. McLaughlin added that the Chicago Police Department refused to assist at the scene, prompting DHS to deploy special operations teams to manage a growing crowd. This incident comes amid weeks of increasingly violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Broadview, where protesters have attempted to block vehicle access and clash with federal personnel nightly.
The Broadview ICE facility is just one of several DHS locations nationwide facing repeated attacks. Protesters have used coordinated tactics such as rock-throwing, tire-slashing, and vehicle vandalism. While agents have employed non-lethal methods including tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets, they have often been outnumbered.
In response, DHS reinforced the site with personnel from multiple agencies, including the ATF and U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino personally helped clear rioters from the facility entrance, though protests resumed the following night. Legal experts have warned that blocking federal vehicles or impeding agents could constitute federal felonies.
Despite the chaotic scene, federal officers maintained control, and no agents were injured. The armed woman who was shot remains hospitalized, with her condition undisclosed. DHS continues to monitor and secure the area as tensions in Broadview escalate, highlighting the growing challenges federal agents face in managing protests and protecting critical facilities.
