Faith Leaders Denied Access to Broadview ICE Facility, Protest Continues

On November 1, 2025, a group of faith leaders gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, for a Mass to commemorate All Saints Day. Their efforts to enter the facility and provide spiritual support to detainees were again denied, prompting a series of protests that included a lively costume demonstration and confrontations with law enforcement.

Denied Access to Detainees

Local faith leaders, including prominent activist Sister JoAnn Persch, sought to enter the Broadview processing center to offer Communion and support to detainees. According to Sarah Rand, a spokesperson for the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, the group made their request to Illinois State troopers, who subsequently contacted federal immigration agents. The request was denied, marking the second failed attempt by the coalition to gain access, following an earlier effort on October 11, 2025.

This denial is significant as it reflects a broader trend in restricting pastoral care that has traditionally been provided to detainees. Rev. Juan Vargas, associate pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, expressed concern over the conditions within the facility, stating, “We’re trying to follow all the procedures, sending emails, but then there’s no letting us know well what is the next step?”

The coalition had submitted letters requesting access to the facility on October 24 and October 30, with no response received. Broadview’s Mayor Katrina Thompson also advocated on behalf of the coalition but to no avail. “Unfortunately, we were denied entrance,” Vargas added, emphasizing the spiritual communion achieved outside despite the setback.

Mass and Protests Outside the Facility

Despite being unable to enter the facility, the coalition estimated that over 2,000 people attended the 10 a.m. Mass, with approximately 800 receiving the Eucharist. The gathering was described by some as the “people’s Mass,” featuring liturgical dancers and speeches from various community leaders. The event also included blessings for individuals affected by federal immigration enforcement, particularly those impacted by Operation Midway Blitz, which intensified immigration raids in the Chicago area.

As the Mass concluded, the atmosphere shifted. A costume party protest began, with attendees dressed in various Halloween costumes, including inflatable suits and traditional garb. Many participants set up ofrendas for Día de Los Muertos, honoring individuals who had died during their attempts to cross borders or in encounters with ICE. This included tributes to Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, who was fatally shot by immigration agents following an attempted arrest.

The protest included a “Jericho walk,” a symbolic action recalling the Biblical story of the Israelites. Organizer Rachel Cohen stated the purpose of the walk was not only to express dissatisfaction but to actively disrupt the functioning of the facility, highlighting the community’s urgency to protect their neighbors.

As tensions escalated, local police intervened. Reports indicate that four individuals were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. In a statement, the Cook County Sheriff’s police confirmed the arrests, while an Illinois State Police spokesperson did not immediately comment on the use of pepper balls during the protests.

The situation intensified when police began using pepper balls to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries among both protesters and members of the press. A reporter from Block Club Chicago was struck while covering the event. Law enforcement later demanded that protesters vacate the area, threatening the use of chemical agents if they did not comply.

In the aftermath, protesters articulated their frustration with law enforcement’s approach. One unidentified participant stated, “You don’t protect us by taking away our civil liberties – that’s not protecting anybody.” The events outside the Broadview ICE facility reflect ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies and the treatment of detainees in the United States.