Faith Leader Arrested As Officers Injured During Protest At Chicago ICE Facility

A peaceful demonstration outside a Chicago-area ICE detention center turned chaotic on Monday as 21 people were arrested, including a well-known local faith leader. Several law enforcement officers were reported injured during the clash, prompting renewed debate about immigration policies and the use of force at public protests.

The protest took place outside the Kankakee County ICE Processing Center, where activists had gathered to denounce recent deportation actions and call for better treatment of detainees. What began as a series of chants and speeches quickly escalated when some demonstrators blocked facility entrances, leading to confrontations with officers.

Authorities say the conflict intensified when protesters refused orders to clear the restricted zone. Officials stated that several individuals pushed through barricades, resulting in physical struggles between demonstrators and law enforcement. Three officers sustained minor injuries during the altercation and were treated at the scene.

Among those arrested was Reverend Jonathan Miles, a respected Chicago faith leader who has long advocated for immigrant rights. Supporters say Miles was participating in nonviolent civil disobedience when officers detained him. His arrest drew immediate attention online, with local churches and advocacy groups calling for his release.

Police officials, however, defended the arrests, insisting that the demonstration became unsafe. “We support peaceful protests, but when individuals endanger officers or disrupt federal operations, we must take action,” a Kankakee County sheriff’s spokesperson said.

Witnesses offered mixed accounts of what happened. Some protesters said officers used unnecessary force, while others acknowledged that tensions escalated after a small group attempted to block access roads. Videos circulating on social media show officers restraining several demonstrators as crowds shouted in protest.

ICE representatives stated that facility operations were briefly interrupted but later resumed. They did not comment on the activists’ demands but emphasized that all enforcement actions follow federal guidelines.

Immigrant rights groups condemned the arrests, arguing that the government is increasingly using aggressive tactics to silence dissent. “People were standing up for families, not causing harm,” said Lucia Ramirez, an organizer with the Chicago Justice Coalition. “Punishing peaceful protesters only shows how broken the system has become.”

The incident has sparked renewed calls for reform of both ICE and local policing methods. Civil rights attorneys are reviewing the arrests to determine whether any legal violations occurred. Meanwhile, supporters of the protest plan to hold a vigil outside the facility later this week.

As immigration continues to be one of the nation’s most divisive political issues, Monday’s event highlights the rising tension between federal authorities and community activists across the country. Whether the arrests will result in charges—or become a catalyst for larger demonstrations—remains to be seen.

For now, the Chicago-area community is left grappling with questions about free speech, public safety, and the human cost of the nation’s immigration system.