A viral video circulating on social media depicts a tense confrontation between federal immigration agents and Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes outside the emergency room of Humboldt Park Health. The footage shows Fuentes attempting to document the agents’ activities when one of the officers forcibly grabs her and places handcuffs on her, while another officer appears to shove her. The incident has triggered significant public outcry and condemnation from various quarters, including Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago.
Mayor Johnson issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that elected officials have a First Amendment right to document the actions of ICE and inform their constituents about their rights without federal interference. He described the detention of an elected official and the alleged deployment of tear gas as direct attacks on democratic accountability and the rights of Chicago’s residents. Johnson further stated that ICE’s “abusive tactics have no place in our city.”
The hospital’s director confirmed that while immigration agents are permitted to enter emergency rooms, they are prohibited from entering operating theaters. The identity of the individual whom the ICE agents were originally attempting to detain has not been disclosed by the hospital.
The video has sparked a strong reaction online, with users expressing shock and anger. Comments on social media included sentiments like “Absolutely ridiculous and shameful,” “America is in deep trouble,” and calls for charges against the agents involved, citing the “brutal assault” on Fuentes.