CHICAGO (AP) — A boarded-up building in a small Chicago suburb has become the front line of a federal immigration crackdown, with growing accusations that the facility meant to process arrestees is a de facto detention center plagued by inhumane conditions.
The Trump administration has targeted the Chicago area for its latest immigration enforcement surge, touting hundreds of arrests in the past weeks.
Relatives, lawyers, and activists are alarmed by immigrants’ accounts of treatment inside the Broadview facility. Protests outside the building have intensified, with agents responding with chemical agents and physical force to push back demonstrators.
Supporters claim up to 200 individuals are held at a time, some for up to five days, in conditions lacking showers or proper meals. Detainees report insufficient food, limited water access, and restricted communication with legal counsel.
Erendira Rendón from The Resurrection Project described the situation as a black hole, citing difficulty in reaching the center or obtaining information. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has neither confirmed nor denied the nature of the facility, neglecting requests for tours or comments.
Questions Loom Over Center
Broadview, a suburb with around 8,000 residents, has hosted a federal immigration processing center for decades, often sparking protests and emotional farewells before deportations.
However, concerns have escalated since Trump’s return to the White House, where he promised mass deportations. Illinois enforces stringent sanctuary laws that curtail cooperation between local law enforcement and federal ICE agents, further complicating the situation.
State officials allege that detained immigrants are held for multiple days and often sleep on the floor. U.S. Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia has voiced frustration over the facility's detainees being labeled as merely processing while it operates as a detention site.
Limited Food and Crowded Quarters
Accounts from detainees reveal alarming conditions. Brenda Perez shared her husband’s experience of being arrested and sent to Broadview, where he was denied adequate food and water.
Giselle Maldonado described her uncles’ experience of being crowded and deprived of basic necessities, causing them to sign deportation papers swiftly and without proper legal representation.
Clashing with the Community
The situation has led to growing tensions within Broadview. Local police resources are being increasingly redirected to manage protests, while community fears rise with reports of aggressive federal responses.
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson expressed her apprehension, stating that the processing center contributes to an atmosphere of fear within the community.
Federal officials have justified their tactics as necessary for the safety of their officers, viewing the detainees as potential threats. Communication between local leaders and federal authorities remains strained, exacerbated by the recent barricading of windows at the center and the installation of a contested fence.
The Mexican consulate is one of the few entities engaging with officials at the Broadview center, advocating for the rights and medical needs of detained nationals.
Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil lamented the dire circumstances faced by migrants, noting that the scale of suffering observed is unprecedented.
