Federal Immigration Raid Rocks Chicago’s South Shore, Residents Allege Brutality and Missing Belongings

An early morning federal immigration raid on a South Shore apartment building has left residents reeling, reporting broken doors, missing neighbors, and allegations of excessive force by federal agents. The operation, which took place overnight Tuesday, saw armed agents from Border Patrol, the FBI, and the ATF descend on 7500 S. South Shore Drive, leading to the arrests of 37 individuals.

Residents described a chaotic scene, with agents reportedly busting down doors, pulling men, women, and children from their apartments – some naked – and detaining U.S. citizens for hours. Dan Jones, 27, woke to agents attempting to breach his door and later returned home to find his electronics and furniture missing. Rodrick Johnson, 67, a U.S. citizen, recounted being dragged out in zip ties and held for nearly three hours without explanation or a lawyer.

The Department of Homeland Security stated those arrested are believed to be involved in “drug trafficking and distribution, weapons crimes and immigration violators,” and claimed the area is frequented by members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. However, DHS provided no evidence to support the gang affiliation, and authorities have not confirmed any of the arrested individuals are members.

Witnesses reported the use of flashbang grenades, drones, and helicopters. Ebony Sweets Watson, a neighbor, described seeing “hundreds” of agents and residents, including children, being dragged out of the building without clothes and separated from their mothers. The raid is one of the largest since “Operation Midway Blitz” was launched, increasing federal immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.

Property managers were seen clearing out debris, including mattresses and broken doors, from the building on Wednesday. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights has condemned the operation as a “violent show of force” and is working to identify those detained.

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