CHICAGO (AP) — Tensions in suburban Chicago escalated over the weekend as a family claimed they were pepper-sprayed by federal immigration agents while heading to the grocery store.
The incident, which occurred in a Sam’s Club parking lot in Cicero, involved Rafael Veraza and his 1-year-old daughter, Arianna. Veraza recounted hearing the distinct sounds of a helicopter and honking, both common signals in the Chicago area signalling the presence of immigration agents. They attempted to leave the area, only to have an agent spray them through the car window.
Veraza, visibly shaken, described the distress of his daughter trying to open her eyes, struggling to breathe as her mother consoled her. “My daughter was trying to open her eyes,” he stated. “She was struggling to breathe.”
Local clergy members, including Rev. Matt DeMateo, arrived at the scene to assist. He condemned the actions taken against the family, emphasizing that all citizens deserve safety while going about their daily lives.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security disputed the family's account, claiming that no pepper spray was deployed in the parking lot during the incident.
This confrontation highlights a broader context of heightened tensions in the area, with immigration agents conducting operations that have reportedly led to over 3,200 arrests recently. Such enforcement tactics have faced considerable criticism for their aggressive nature, often accompanied by the liberal use of chemical agents.
Local residents, particularly in immigrant-rich neighborhoods like Little Village, have organized to safeguard their communities against these operations, employing whistles and car horns to alert others of federal agents' presence.
As protests against federal actions continue, the situation remains fraught, posing questions regarding the appropriate use of force by immigration authorities and the treatment of residents caught in the crossfire.
