Residents of a Chicago apartment building have shared harrowing accounts of a recent immigration raid, describing scenes that felt more like a movie than reality. Eyewitnesses reported seeing armed federal agents moving through hallways and a helicopter landing directly on the building’s roof. The operation, conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, resulted in the arrest of 37 individuals described as “illegal aliens,” some of whom were allegedly linked to gang activity.
One particularly distressing account came from a US citizen who found himself detained, with his hands zip-tied by agents. Although later released, the experience has left a lasting impact. BBC Verify’s Nick Beake has been speaking directly with those affected, working to piece together the sequence of events and the human impact of this significant law enforcement operation.
Produced by Aisha Sembhi. Graphics by Mesut Ersoz & Leo Scutt-Richter. Additional reporting by Joshua Cheetham.