A Border Patrol pursuit through Chicago’s South Side ended Tuesday afternoon with the arrest of a suspect accused of entering the United States illegally, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The chase concluded on a residential street where agents deployed tear gas to disperse an increasingly hostile crowd.
Federal officials said the suspect rammed a Border Patrol vehicle before fleeing. Agents pursued the car until it stopped, and the driver attempted to run. As agents made the arrest, onlookers began to surround the scene, forcing officers to deploy crowd-control measures when several individuals reportedly threw objects at federal personnel.
Chicago Police confirmed that tear gas was used after the situation escalated. Thirteen officers were treated for exposure, and no serious injuries were reported.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the response as “abominable,” accusing federal agents of using excessive force. “They’ve been hit with tear gas, pepper pellets, and rubber bullets just when they’re holding signs and expressing themselves,” Pritzker said Tuesday.
.@ICEDeputy poses the question: Why is Governor Pritzker so adamant in letting criminal illegal alien gang members, murders, rapists and other criminals run free in Chicago?
ICE is committed to removing the worst of the worst from Chicago’s streets and keeping American families… pic.twitter.com/uQA933mGLQ
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) October 17, 2025
Federal officials say the operation was lawful and necessary. Border Patrol agents have faced repeated harassment during recent immigration enforcement missions in the city, and objects thrown by demonstrators have struck several. Officials emphasized that agents can use non-lethal means to maintain public safety and complete lawful arrests.
The incident follows a string of confrontations across Chicago tied to stepped-up federal immigration enforcement. Over the weekend, agents deployed tear gas in Albany Park after protesters attempted to block vehicles leaving an operation site. Earlier this month, agents were surrounded near a grocery store on the city’s West Side after making arrests linked to human-smuggling warrants.
JUST IN: Operation Midway Blitz has begun in Chicago with ICE agents surging into the city.
ICE has already arrested a criminal illegal alien who was convicted of s*xually assaulting a child.
Who else voted for this? Bc I did✋🏻 pic.twitter.com/qhLLGvaX3F
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 8, 2025
Last week, federal prosecutors announced indictments against two individuals accused of ramming and boxing in a Border Patrol vehicle during a prior enforcement action. The agent involved fired five shots in self-defense, injuring one of the suspects. Both were later released pending trial.
The Department of Homeland Security said it will continue its coordinated enforcement efforts nationwide, focusing on individuals with criminal histories or active deportation orders. Officials reiterated that attacks on federal agents will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
