On Monday morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents caused a collision on the Stevenson Expressway (I‑55) northbound exit ramp at Damen Avenue in the Mckinley Park area. The agents, traveling in a black SUV, struck a blue pickup truck that was traveling down the ramp, according to Alderman Julia Ramirez (12th Ward) and Illinois State Police.
State Trooper Jayme Bufford confirmed that state troopers responded to a two‑vehicle crash involving ICE agents. No injuries were reported and the ramp was reopened later in the afternoon.
Witnesses said the driver of the pickup, who was wearing construction work clothing, was detained by the agents. Rapid responders reported that the driver had been followed from a Home Depot at 4555 S. Western Blvd. in the Back of the Yards, a location that has seen several immigration arrests in recent weeks.
After the crash, ICE agents towed their SUV to a nearby intersection at West 33rd Street and South Wolcott Avenue. Residents and rapid responders gathered, blowing whistles and shouting “La migra está aquí.” One responder asked the agents, “Are you proud of working hard to separate families and children?”
A tow truck arrived to move the agents’ SUV, but the driver turned the vehicle around and left the scene after being met with boos and jeers from the crowd. As the truck drove away, assembled neighbors chanted, “Who keeps us safe, we keep us safe.”
Because the first tow driver left, a second tow truck was called. The second driver pushed through the crowd and successfully towed the ICE vehicle away. ICE agents then departed the scene.
Ramirez noted that ICE also detained at least two people in the West Lawn neighborhood earlier that day. Representatives for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not responded to requests for comment.
Community reaction
Rapid responders and local officials continued to stand off with about ten immigration agents who guarded the damaged SUV until roughly 2:20 p.m. The incident underscores ongoing tension in Chicago’s Southwest Side neighborhoods over immigration enforcement actions and the role of local volunteers in confronting federal agents.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
