Chicago Daycare Worker Detained by ICE During Child Drop-Off

A daycare worker in Chicago was detained by immigration authorities during a routine drop-off of children on November 5, 2025. Witnesses reported that the incident occurred at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center, where the employee was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while parents were arriving to drop off their children.

Alderman Matt Martin stated that the detained individual ran into the facility just as ICE officers entered the parking lot. The woman was apprehended between two glass doors while insisting she had the necessary documentation to remain in the country. According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 07:00, coinciding with the center’s opening hours. This event is indicative of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have intensified in recent months.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as multiple ICE agents entered the daycare without a warrant, questioning staff and searching for the employee. U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley emphasized that the detained worker possessed a valid work permit, and U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez criticized the manner in which the agents conducted their operation, stating they jeopardized the children present by searching multiple rooms.

Video footage circulating on social media showed agents in tactical gear engaging with the employee while she was restrained. The incident spurred a strong reaction from parents gathered outside the daycare. Esmeralda Rosales, a parent whose child was cared for by the detained worker, expressed her outrage, describing the staff as “the nicest, kindest people” and lamenting that children should not have to witness such traumatic events.

Chris Widen, another parent, noted the inappropriate timing of the operation, which occurred during the busiest period for drop-offs. He remarked on the distressing sight of federal agents in body armor amidst families and children. Adam Gonzalez, who was dropping off his own child, captured the incident on video, indicating that the atmosphere felt unusually tense and concerning.

The daycare center, which operates eight locations in Illinois and Minnesota, temporarily closed its Chicago facility following the incident. Many parents expressed anger and dismay, feeling that their community was under siege by federal immigration enforcement. One parent, Jason Wirth, highlighted the pervasive fear within the community, stating, “These are people who are intended to protect us, and I think we feel preyed upon instead.”

In response to the backlash, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, claimed that ICE did not specifically target the daycare center. She indicated that the operation began as a traffic stop of a vehicle linked to the detained employee, which escalated into a broader enforcement action at the daycare.

The incident reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly in cities labeled as “sanctuary cities,” like Chicago. Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official, defended the aggressive tactics employed by his agents, describing them as necessary to enforce immigration laws.

As the community grapples with the implications of this detention, the incident raises broader questions about the balance between immigration enforcement and the safety and well-being of children in educational settings. The emotional impact on families and the daycare staff is likely to resonate long after the immediate crisis has passed, highlighting the need for a more compassionate approach to immigration issues.