CHICAGO (AP) — A high-speed chase involving Border Patrol agents led to the pursued person's arrest Tuesday afternoon in a residential area on Chicago's South Side. Footage from the scene shows protesters gathering, prompting agents to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd.
During an immigration enforcement operation, a driver suspected of being in the country illegally crashed into a Border Patrol vehicle before fleeing. Federal agents chased the vehicle until the driver eventually stopped and attempted to escape on foot. As the arrest unfolded, a crowd formed nearby, which led to the use of crowd control measures, including tear gas deployment by the agents, confirmed by the Chicago Police Department.
Video footage revealed dozens of protesters waving flags while federal agents and local police attempted to maintain order. Tear gas was seen filling the streets as protesters coughed and fled the scene.
Chicago Police responded to a 911 call about a car accident involving federal authorities earlier in the day, but tensions escalated when some in the crowd began throwing objects at the agents.
Thirteen police officers were reportedly exposed to tear gas during the incident, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker calling the actions of federal agents against the protesters “abominable.” He emphasized that such treatment in America is unprecedented in his experience.
Over recent weeks, agents have consistently deployed tear gas in various Chicago neighborhoods in response to protests against the federal immigration crackdown, which has seen growing resistance from community members. Activists organized demonstrations at federal immigration facilities and planned further actions to promote protections under the state’s Trust Act.
This series of events underscores rising tensions and the complex intersection of immigration enforcement and civil liberties in the city.
