WASHINGTON, DC – This past September, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) acting director issued a statement in response to a claim made by the Broadview, Illinois, mayor that the agency is currently “making war” with the local community, despite ongoing riots and violence perpetuated by local bad actors against the Broadview ICE processing center and officers.
As noted in past reporting featured in Law Enforcement Today, the ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois, has served as a de facto ground zero for anti-ICE demonstrators and rioters to assemble and commit various acts of violence and obstruction aimed at the facility and the officers stationed there.
On September 29th, CNN reported on the arrest of 26-year-old Paul Ivery, who was charged with felony assault on an officer after authorities say he attacked a federal officer outside of the Broadview facility while allegedly saying, “I’ll f*cking kill you right now.”
Ivery was one of five people arrested outside the Broadview facility on September 27th, with the other four suspects collectively bearing charges ranging from felony assault on an officer to resisting/impeding a federal officer.
Despite all the riotous ongoings in Broadview being perpetuated by anti-ICE locals, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is levying blame on ICE, claiming the agency is “making war” with the Broadview community at large.
“You are making war on my community. And it has to stop,” Mayor Thompson wrote in a letter directed to Homeland Security, adding, “Beleaguered Broadview residents are begging for relief from your center's siege of our neighborhood.”
The “center” Mayor Thompson is alleging to be carrying out a “siege” of the neighborhood is the Broadview ICE processing center which rioters have been targeting for weeks, which her characterization of the processing facility in such a way is a complete inverse of what defines a siege and reality in general – as rioters in Broadview are the only ones ostensibly engaged in a siege.
Furthermore, Mayor Thompson is arguably the reason for why the specific facility has been targeted as she issued a September 2nd bulletin to the public highlighting the Broadview processing facility as being the hub for “a large-scale” immigration enforcement effort.
“Federal officials have informed us that a large-scale enforcement campaign will soon be underway,” Mayor Thompson’s September 2nd bulletin to the public reads.
“The Immigration facility located on Beach Street will serve as the primary processing location for this operation, which is scheduled to operate seven days a week for approximately 45 continuous days.”
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons isn’t oblivious to the reality of what’s taking place outside the Broadview processing facility, as he pointed out in a September 26th response to Mayor Thompson’s allegations that the riots and violence unfolding in Broadview are a culmination of her administration’s inactions and tacit endorsements of anti-ICE rioters.
“We have repeatedly requested assistance from state and local law enforcement, including your own police department, to disperse these unlawful assemblies,” Director Lyons’ letter reads.
“Instead, local inaction has enabled agitators to escalate violence and placed several officers, first responders, and Broadview residents in harm's way. If our officers were provided the support they need, the crowd control measures referenced in your letter would not be necessary.”
In an apparent reference to Mayor Thompson’s characterization of the Broadview processing facility somehow carrying out a “siege” of the community, Director Lyons added.
“The only siege in Broadview is the one being waged against the United States government. You can either continue to be part of the problem or choose to be part of the solution by directing your police to enforce local ordinances and working with us to remove violent offenders.”
As noted in past reporting featured in Law Enforcement Today, the ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois, has served as a de facto ground zero for anti-ICE demonstrators and rioters to assemble and commit various acts of violence and obstruction aimed at the facility and the officers stationed there.
On September 29th, CNN reported on the arrest of 26-year-old Paul Ivery, who was charged with felony assault on an officer after authorities say he attacked a federal officer outside of the Broadview facility while allegedly saying, “I’ll f*cking kill you right now.”
Ivery was one of five people arrested outside the Broadview facility on September 27th, with the other four suspects collectively bearing charges ranging from felony assault on an officer to resisting/impeding a federal officer.
Despite all the riotous ongoings in Broadview being perpetuated by anti-ICE locals, Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is levying blame on ICE, claiming the agency is “making war” with the Broadview community at large.
“You are making war on my community. And it has to stop,” Mayor Thompson wrote in a letter directed to Homeland Security, adding, “Beleaguered Broadview residents are begging for relief from your center's siege of our neighborhood.”
The “center” Mayor Thompson is alleging to be carrying out a “siege” of the neighborhood is the Broadview ICE processing center which rioters have been targeting for weeks, which her characterization of the processing facility in such a way is a complete inverse of what defines a siege and reality in general – as rioters in Broadview are the only ones ostensibly engaged in a siege.
Furthermore, Mayor Thompson is arguably the reason for why the specific facility has been targeted as she issued a September 2nd bulletin to the public highlighting the Broadview processing facility as being the hub for “a large-scale” immigration enforcement effort.
“Federal officials have informed us that a large-scale enforcement campaign will soon be underway,” Mayor Thompson’s September 2nd bulletin to the public reads.
“The Immigration facility located on Beach Street will serve as the primary processing location for this operation, which is scheduled to operate seven days a week for approximately 45 continuous days.”
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons isn’t oblivious to the reality of what’s taking place outside the Broadview processing facility, as he pointed out in a September 26th response to Mayor Thompson’s allegations that the riots and violence unfolding in Broadview are a culmination of her administration’s inactions and tacit endorsements of anti-ICE rioters.
“We have repeatedly requested assistance from state and local law enforcement, including your own police department, to disperse these unlawful assemblies,” Director Lyons’ letter reads.
“Instead, local inaction has enabled agitators to escalate violence and placed several officers, first responders, and Broadview residents in harm's way. If our officers were provided the support they need, the crowd control measures referenced in your letter would not be necessary.”
In an apparent reference to Mayor Thompson’s characterization of the Broadview processing facility somehow carrying out a “siege” of the community, Director Lyons added.
“The only siege in Broadview is the one being waged against the United States government. You can either continue to be part of the problem or choose to be part of the solution by directing your police to enforce local ordinances and working with us to remove violent offenders.”
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