Homeland Security and Judiciary Committees Launch Investigation into Violent Chicago Immigration Raid

WASHINGTON - The House Committees on Homeland Security and the Judiciary launched an investigation into the September 30th immigration raid in Chicago that terrorized residents of a South Shore apartment building.

Ranking Members Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Immigration Integrity, Security & Enforcement Subcommittee Ranking Member Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Border Security & Enforcement Subcommittee Ranking Member Lou Correa (D-CA), Oversight, Investigations & Accountability Subcommittee Ranking Member Shri Thanedar, Constitution & Limited Government Subcommittee Ranking Member Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), and Chicago area Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL) and Chuy García (D-IL) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pamela Bondi demanding details on the operation and answers on the actions of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under their control.

"According to media reports, armed federal agents in military fatigues approached or entered nearly every apartment in the five-story, 130-unit apartment building, using flashbang grenades, busting down doors, and pulling men, women and children from their beds. Agents put residents in zip ties and led them to unmarked vans to wait for hours while handcuffed, with children separated from their parents," the Members wrote.

"Reporting indicates that there were U.S. citizens and military veterans among those dragged out of their apartments in zip ties and detained for hours," the Members added. "They were not told why they were detained, and they were not allowed to contact attorneys. Residents report significant property damage and having their units ransacked. Doors were blown off hinges and holes left in walls. When returning to their apartments, some residents found their items stolen after federal agents left apartments open."

After making 37 arrests during the operation, DHS claimed, without providing any evidence, that neighborhood was a location frequented by Tren de Aragua members. However, law enforcement authorities have not confirmed that any of the people arrested in this raid were members of Tren de Aragua.

"It is unacceptable that this violent, heavy-handed immigration enforcement operation put families and children at risk and detained U.S. citizens, while traumatizing an entire community."

The letter presses DHS and DOJ to provide details on warrants used, the number of U.S. citizens and children detained, evidence supporting DHS's claims of criminality, and explanations for tactics including the use of flashbang grenades, helicopters, and the zip-tying of children.

Click here to read the full letter.

Issues: Government Reform & Ethics, Immigration