URGENT UPDATE: A shocking incident unfolded in Cicero, Illinois, as federal agents reportedly pepper-sprayed a 1-year-old girl during chaotic clashes related to immigration enforcement operations. The confrontation occurred Saturday morning at approximately 9:30 AM, just outside Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, igniting outrage in the community.
Rafael Veraza, the girl’s father, described harrowing moments as he and his family attempted to leave a Sam’s Club parking lot. “He started spraying from the front of the car towards the back. Basically, I got sprayed all over my face,” Veraza recounted. Both he and his daughter, Arianna, were briefly hospitalized, struggling to breathe from the effects of the pepper spray. Veraza, who suffers from asthma, stated, “My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe.”
The incident unfolded during heightened tensions following a federal judge’s recent decision to tighten rules on immigration enforcement tactics. This development sparked protests from community members who felt unjustly targeted. In a statement on social media, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin denied the use of pepper spray, asserting, “There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that Border Patrol agents entered the parking lot after being attacked during immigration operations in Little Village. They reported being shot at and targeted with bricks, claiming the agents were forced to respond to escalating violence from protesters. “Border Patrol faced gunshots, violent mobs at every stop,” stated McLaughlin.
Community leaders and elected officials have condemned the actions of federal agents. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García criticized what he described as a “campaign of terror” against Chicago’s residents, urging for peaceful protests and documentation of such incidents. “If we succumb to violence, we will lose our battle,” García warned.
As tensions continued to rise, the National Lawyers Guild Chicago confirmed they were monitoring the situation, denouncing the use of excessive force by federal agents. “Trump’s federal agents turned what would have been a quiet Saturday afternoon into a dangerous and unsafe environment,” the organization stated.
The aftermath of the clashes saw Border Patrol arrest at least nine individuals, eight of whom are U.S. citizens. The exact status of these arrests remains unclear, but community outrage is palpable. Activists organized a day of action in response, gathering resources to educate the public on their rights and support those affected by federal enforcement actions.
As the situation develops, it’s crucial to stay informed. Officials from both the DHS and local community advocates are expected to continue addressing this alarming incident throughout the coming days. The community’s response to federal enforcement will be a focal point in discussions moving forward.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story as it impacts the lives of those in Chicago and beyond.
