Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes Calls ICE Detention ‘Sanctioned Violence’ After Hospital Incident

Ald. Jessie Fuentes, who represents Chicago’s 26th Ward, was handcuffed and briefly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at a Humboldt Park health center on Friday afternoon. The incident occurred as Fuentes was advocating for a constituent who had been injured during an earlier arrest and was being treated in the emergency room, according to reports from multiple news outlets .

According to Fuentes, she entered the hospital to check on the injured individual, who she said may require surgery as a result of injuries sustained during an arrest. While at the facility, Fuentes approached ICE agents and asked if they possessed a signed judicial warrant for the detention. In her account, Fuentes insisted that she repeatedly and peacefully requested clarification about the basis for the person’s detention and her own legal standing in the situation .

Video coverage provided by CBS Chicago shows Fuentes being handcuffed and escorted out of the emergency room by ICE officers. Fuentes later stated, “When they walked me out of the emergency room, several vehicles pulled up, a white expedition with Border Patrol, ready to put me in the car. And I simply asked, ‘What did I do wrong outside of asking you if you have a signed judicial warrant? I want you to articulate to me what law did I break?’” . At that point, she said, the officers removed the handcuffs and released her.

In the aftermath, Fuentes characterized her detention as an example of “sanctioned violence,” arguing that the actions of ICE agents were not only unjustified but emblematic of a broader pattern of abuse and intimidation targeting marginalized communities . “This is the sort of behavior that our communities have come to fear—agencies using their authority to silence, intimidate, and harm those who speak up,” Fuentes said in a statement released to local media outlets .

Fuentes, who is among the city’s openly LGBTQ+ elected officials, also highlighted how such incidents disproportionately affect LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups. “As a queer woman of color, I know firsthand how state-sanctioned violence is used to keep us in fear. This should not happen to anyone—elected official or not,” Fuentes was quoted as saying .

The incident has prompted swift condemnation from civil rights advocates, local leaders, and national organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois released a statement calling the detention “deeply troubling” and emphasizing that elected officials must be able to advocate for their constituents without fear of retaliation or unlawful restraint .

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also weighed in, expressing support for Fuentes and demanding a full investigation into the conduct of ICE agents. “No one, especially not a public servant seeking to protect their community, should be subjected to this kind of treatment,” Johnson said during a press conference on Saturday .

The incident has further galvanized immigrant rights groups, many of whom argue that the confrontation is symptomatic of a larger crisis in U.S. immigration enforcement. Organizers with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) pointed out that the episode underscores the urgent need for transparency, oversight, and reform of ICE practices .

Advocates have long warned that LGBTQ+ immigrants face heightened risks in encounters with law enforcement and immigration authorities. Research from the Williams Institute at UCLA has documented that LGBTQ+ people are overrepresented in immigrant detention and frequently face mistreatment, including denial of medical care and exposure to violence . The National Center for Transgender Equality has similarly reported that transgender people in detention experience disproportionate rates of harassment and abuse .

In this context, Fuentes’ detention draws attention not only to the rights of elected officials but also to the vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ individuals—particularly immigrants—caught in the crosshairs of aggressive law enforcement tactics. Local LGBTQ+ organizations have called for additional training for law enforcement, as well as increased legal support for community members at risk of detention or deportation .

Legal experts have raised questions about the authority of ICE agents to detain individuals, particularly in the absence of a signed judicial warrant. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that law enforcement agencies must generally have a warrant or probable cause to detain individuals, especially in sensitive locations such as hospitals .

Fuentes’ case has reignited debate over so-called “sanctuary city” policies, which limit local cooperation with federal immigration authorities in cities like Chicago. While these policies are intended to protect undocumented immigrants, critics argue that they do not go far enough in safeguarding civil liberties .

Alderperson Fuentes has called for a full public accounting of the incident and has announced plans to introduce a city council resolution demanding greater oversight of ICE operations in Chicago. “This is not just about me. It’s about every Chicagoan who deserves dignity, transparency, and justice,” Fuentes stated .

Community groups are organizing a rally outside the hospital next week, with speakers from LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, immigrant rights groups, and local labor unions. Organizers say the event will highlight the intersectional nature of the struggle for justice and the need for solidarity across marginalized groups.

As the investigation continues, activists and elected leaders alike are closely watching how city, state, and federal authorities respond. For many, the incident has become a rallying point in the broader fight for civil rights, government accountability, and the protection of all communities—regardless of immigration status or identity.