Muslims for Just Futures Statement on ICE Terrorizing Chicago Communities
“ We stand united across Chicago, from Lakeview and Rogers Park to Little Village and Brighton Park, in defense of our communities and our right to live free from state terror.”
October 24, 2025
Muslims for Just Futures condemns the ongoing acts of violence, harassment, and intimidation carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and federal agents throughout Chicago. Today, ICE operations once again brought fear and disruption to our communities—this time in the Lakeview neighborhood and the broader North Side—where at least nine individuals were detained, and federal agents deployed tear gas in a residential area.
The incident occurred as workers were eating lunch outside a home near Lakewood Avenue. Without warning, agents descended on the block, detaining individuals in front of residents and families. Witnesses reported unmarked SUVs driving on the wrong side of the street, agents shouting orders, and tear gas canisters being thrown onto sidewalks. Neighbors immediately came out of their homes, began recording, blew whistles, and demanded that agents leave the community. Their collective action reflects the strength and solidarity of Lakeview and the North Side, standing in unity with neighborhoods such as Little Village, Brighton Park, and Cicero, which have long resisted ICE’s targeting and intimidation.
Since January, ICE has intensified its presence across Chicago, escalating a campaign of fear and violence that has included raids, assaults, and unlawful detentions. These actions represent a direct attack on immigrant, working-class, and Black and Brown communities and an unacceptable overreach of federal power into our local neighborhoods.
In recent months, ICE and federal law enforcement have:
Conducted militarized raids in the South Shore community, deploying helicopters, flash bangs, and hundreds of armed agents who detained residents—including children and infants—and arrested dozens.
Targeted journalists, detaining and physically assaulting members of the press for documenting protests and enforcement activity.
Assaulted community members and workers.
Tear-gassed peaceful protesters in multiple wards, including incidents where young children were present.
Detained Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, who was calmly questioning agents about their lack of a warrant.
Abducted the father of a child undergoing chemotherapy, leaving a family in crisis.
These actions do not make our city safer, they terrorize our neighbors and destabilize entire communities. Federal agents have turned residential areas like Lakeview, Rogers Park, Uptown, and other parts of the North Side into zones of fear.
We call for an immediate end to ICE operations in Chicago and throughout Illinois. We demand transparency, accountability, and a full investigation into the conduct of federal agents operating in our neighborhoods. Our communities deserve safety, dignity, and respect, not militarization and fear.
We remind all community members:
You have the right to remain silent.
You have the right to an attorney.
You have the right to record law enforcement activity in public spaces.
You have the right to refuse to sign any documents presented by ICE agents.
Community is critical to protecting and defending community members.
Support local businesses, especially immigrant owned businesses and street vendors who have been hit the hardest at this moment.
If you witness immigration enforcement activity or if someone in your family has been detained, contact the ICIRR Family Support Hotline at 855-435-7693. For broader awareness, MJF’s Chicago community can also use our public resource, “Deploying the Military Domestically: What You Should Know” for more local resources (bit.ly/MJF-DEP-MIL-DOM) We stand united across Chicago, from Lakeview and Rogers Park to Little Village and Brighton Park, in defense of our communities and our right to live free from state terror.
