Video footage has emerged showing armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents forcibly arresting a daycare worker in Chicago, dragging her out of the Rayito de Sol centre in front of children. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning in the city's North Side neighbourhood, with witnesses describing the use of excessive force as agents pursued the woman into the facility.
Bystander videos reviewed by local media show the worker arriving in a black car and running into the daycare before being chased by agents, who grabbed her arm and pulled her outside. At one point, her face appeared to be slammed against glass doors before she was pinned against a parked car and handcuffed. The worker could be heard saying in Spanish, 'I have papers', according to footage analysed by the Chicago Tribune.
Parent Matt Champion, who was dropping off his child, told CBS Chicago he saw agents arrive shortly after 7am. Educator Marisel Mari expressed concern for child safety, while parent Tara Goodarzi described the scene as 'terrifying' and called it an 'abduction'. Alderman Matt Martin said the videos were among the most chilling he had ever seen, and city and state lawmakers held a press conference condemning the arrest. Democratic representative Mike Quigley emphasised that the woman was a trusted community member with a work permit who cared for children.
Homeland Security Department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied targeting the daycare, stating that agents were conducting a targeted traffic stop of a female Colombian national who fled with a male driver into the centre. She claimed the pair attempted to barricade themselves inside, endangering children. The incident coincided with a Chicago court hearing where witnesses testified about alleged brutality by ICE agents during immigration raids, including a youth organiser who said agents aimed a gun at her.
