Broadview, US (EFE).- Several hundred people protested Friday morning outside a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center near Chicago, where around 50 members of the Texas National Guard remain inside awaiting deployment.
The mobilization of the full 200-member Texas contingent, sent this week by the United States President Donald Trump administration to support ICE agents during immigration raids, has been temporarily halted after a judge in Chicago issued a restraining order blocking their activation.
United States District Judge April M. Perry ruled Thursday that there was no “credible evidence” of a risk of “rebellion,” rejecting the Justice Department’s argument used to justify deploying the troops from Texas.
Despite the ruling, hundreds of demonstrators gathered as they do every Friday outside the Broadview ICE facility.
The Trump Administration has not provided details on the number or legal status of detainees held inside, who officials have described as “criminal suspects.”
Four helicopters hovered over the area Friday morning while dozens of patrol cars blocked surrounding streets.
About 50 Chicago police officers monitored the largely peaceful demonstration.
Tension briefly flared when three protesters crossed the police barricade and shouted at an incoming ICE van.
Officers struck them with wooden batons before detaining them, drawing boos and chants from the crowd.
“ICE out of Chicago,” “Immigrants are welcome in our neighborhood,” and “No human being is illegal” read some of the protesters’ signs.
In recent weeks, the site has seen more violent clashes, with police reportedly using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds.
Authorities have since reinforced the facility with a metal fence to prevent incursions. EFE
gac/seo
