By: Ashmar Mandou

Residents are on edge after ICE sightings took place in McKinley Park, near 63rd Street and Pulaski Road, which resulted in a two-vehicle crash on Monday. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the area when a Venezuelan man fled from immigration officers and rammed an officer’s vehicle during a traffic stop. DHS identified the man as Robinson Mendez-Gutierrez and said ICE officers approached him on August 24th as part of the agency described as “targeted enforcement operations.”

Aldermanic candidate for the 25th Ward and immigration attorney Nubia Batista Willman responded to the scene as a trained rapid-response volunteer. Willman worked alongside local and state officials, attorneys and other community members to keep residents informed, assert their rights and help de-escalate tensions. “People are angry, and they have every right to be. We need to know our rights, speak out and stand up for our neighbors. We also have to do it safely and refuse to play into ICE’s hands. As an immigration attorney and trained rapid-response volunteer, I was on the ground today to stand alongside residents, help enforce our rights, and work alongside local leaders, attorneys and other community members to de-escalate a volatile situation,” said Nubia Batista Willman.

According to DHS, an ICE officer activated emergency lights to stop Mendez-Gutierrez, but he allegedly refused to pull over and used his pickup truck to ram the officer’s vehicle. The agency said the officer was able to stop the pickup and arrest Mendez-Gutierrez without further incident. Illinois State Police confirmed Monday that ICE agents were involved in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 55 near the Damen Avenue exit. Police did not provide additional details about the circumstances of the crash. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show federal immigration agents in the McKinley Park area, though the reports could not be independently verified.

Amid the incident, activists gathered Monday afternoon in the McKinley Park neighborhood after reports of ICE activity and arrests. The activists blew whistles and alerted residents to the agents’ presence. Alderman Julia Ramirez was on the scene and shared details of the whole incident with media. “ICE agents escalated the situation this time,” said Ramirez. “They came to safeguard the vehicle. I worry about a lot of people coming to the scene and them wanting to hurt people with pepper balls and tear gas.” Ramirez said the reported activity urged some community members to take to the streets and blow whistles to warn others about possible ICE activity.