Federal Agents Pepper Spray 1-Year-Old During Chicago Clashes

UPDATE: Federal agents pepper sprayed a 1-year-old girl during chaotic immigration enforcement operations in Cicero, Illinois, just over the city border from Little Village. This incident unfolded on September 30, 2023, amidst escalating tensions following a federal judge’s recent tightening of force regulations for immigration agents.

The clash erupted as Border Patrol agents intervened after reports of gunfire directed at them. Eyewitnesses, including the girl’s father, Rafael Veraza, reported that agents sprayed them while trying to leave a Sam’s Club parking lot. “I got sprayed all over my face,” Veraza recounted, adding that the situation was dire for his daughter, Arianna, who struggled to breathe after inhaling the pepper spray. Both were briefly hospitalized due to the effects of the chemical agent.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended its actions, claiming their agents were responding to a hostile crowd. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated on social media, “No crowd control or pepper spray was deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot.” However, Veraza’s account contradicts this assertion, highlighting the chaos that ensued as agents faced threats from protesters.

As tensions flared, several community members gathered to support Veraza, expressing outrage over the use of force against innocent families. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García condemned the federal government’s tactics, branding them a “campaign of terror” that disproportionately affects Chicago’s communities. “We must continue documenting these actions,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest.

DHS reports indicated that agents were attacked with bricks and other projectiles, leading to multiple arrests, including eight U.S. citizens. However, the exact reasons for pepper spraying Veraza’s family, who had attempted to leave the area, remain unclear.

The situation escalated as community responses intensified. Activist groups like the Indivisible Chicago Alliance organized actions to support local residents, providing education on rights and distributing resources such as whistles and informational pamphlets.

In an official statement, DHS outlined the violent events that led to the pepper spraying, detailing how Border Patrol agents faced direct gunfire and were later assaulted by protesters. Despite the chaos, they claimed no agents were injured throughout the incidents.

As this story develops, it raises critical questions about the use of force by federal agents in urban environments and the impact on families like Veraza’s. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between local communities and federal law enforcement, bringing to light the urgent need for accountability and reform in immigration enforcement practices.

Community leaders are calling for peaceful demonstrations to continue while highlighting the importance of documenting incidents involving law enforcement. As reactions unfold, many are left wondering about the future of immigration policy and community relations in Chicago.

Stay tuned for updates as this situation continues to develop, with implications not only for local residents but for broader immigration enforcement practices nationwide.