Immigration Raid at Chicago Daycare Sparks Outrage Among Parents

Thu Nov 06 2025 03:26:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An ICE operation at Rayito de Sol Early Learning Center leads to the arrest of a popular staff member, igniting parental anger and concerns over aggressive immigration tactics.

In a striking incident reflecting the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement, a daycare worker was apprehended by ICE agents during morning drop-off, alarming parents and community members. Witnesses detailed the commotion, with federal officers in tactical gear detaining the worker at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center in Chicago. This operation, part of ongoing immigration crackdowns, has led to significant backlash and heightened fears among immigrant families.

CHICAGO — A worker at a Chicago daycare center was detained by immigration authorities during the busy morning drop-off on Wednesday, igniting fury among parents and local community members. The incident at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center occurred shortly after a group of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrived at the scene.

Witnesses reported that the employee ran inside the center after spotting the officers approaching. She was apprehended between two glass doors while asserting her citizenship, according to Alderman Matt Martin, who gathered accounts from bystanders. The officers reportedly entered the facility around 7 a.m., shortly after it opened, to question multiple individuals.

The operation is part of Operation Midway Blitz, which has resulted in over 3,000 immigration arrests in the Chicago area since the beginning of September. These aggressive enforcement tactics have included high-profile raids with significant police presence, including nighttime operations where agents rappelled from helicopters and engaged with groups of protesters.

Videos shared online depicted officers equipped in tactical gear, with visible POLICE ICE markings, as they detained the daycare worker, further alarming parents watching the scene unfold.

Immigration officials, including senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino, have defended their tactics amidst rising tension and protests against such operations. Many parents gathered outside the center expressed horror at the sight of officers taking their beloved teacher away as children looked on.

These are among the nicest, kindest people. They don’t deserve this, and these children shouldn’t have to live through this,’ commented parent Esmeralda Rosales, who rushed over to show support as her husband was dropping off their infant.

Chris Widen, another parent, lamented the timing of the operation, arguing that it exposed young kids to a traumatic situation as they witnessed a teacher being forcibly removed.

Adam Gonzalez, who paused to record the incident, underscored the reality of the situation. I just thought I had to go record this. The world needs to see what’s happening, that this is not fake, that this is real,’ he stated.

The daycare center, which operates multiple locations in Illinois and Minnesota, shut down its Chicago facility for the day following the events. As parents gathered outside, anger and concern over the treatment of immigrant workers in their community only continued to grow.