CHICAGO - In a striking incident that unfolded at a daycare center, an employee of the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center was detained by ICE agents on Wednesday morning, just as parents were dropping off their children. This aggressive enforcement action has raised concerns and outrage among parents and community members.
Alderman Matt Martin reported that the employee made a desperate dash from a vehicle into the daycare as immigration agents arrived in the building's parking lot. Surveillance footage showed her being restrained near the entryway while asserting her citizenship to the agents. The event, which unfolded around 7 a.m., coincided with the opening hours of the facility.
Chicago has seen a series of ICE operations in recent weeks as part of Operation Midway Blitz, which has resulted in thousands of arrest across the city since early September. The suddenness and force of such detainment actions have left many in the community feeling bewildered and alarmed.
Witnesses reported seeing armed officers dressed in ICE-branded tactical gear, raising concerns about the trauma such actions could inflict on young children witnessing the scene. Video footage from the scene shows officers actively apprehending the woman as she was taken from the daycare center.
“These are the nicest, kindest people. They don’t deserve this. These children don’t deserve to be living through this. This is just terrible,” expressed Esmeralda Rosales, a parent whose child was taught by the detained employee. Many parents gathered outside the daycare support the staff, expressing their anger and concern.
Eyewitness Adam Gonzalez said he noticed the unusual commotion and decided to record the incident, feeling compelled to share the reality of what had transpired. He stated, “The world needs to see what’s happening, that this is not fake, that this is real.”
Following the detention, the Rayito de Sol facility in Roscoe Village closed for the day. ICE and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have not provided immediate comments on the incident, and Rayito de Sol's representatives also did not respond to requests for clarification.
This incident highlights a heart-wrenching intersection between immigration enforcement and the daily lives of families, raising critical questions about policies that impact vulnerable communities.
