Eighteen Chicago residents who were brutalized by federal agents during a military-style immigration raid filed legal claims seeking accountability and justice.
The claims, filed May 12, 2026, against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies, detail the shocking experiences of residents at the hands of federal agents who stormed the building, broke down doors without warrants, and rounded up adults and children alike at gunpoint in the middle of the night.
About the Claims
On September 30, 2025, federal agents descended on the apartment complex in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago with a Black Hawk helicopter, unmarked vans, and rented moving trucks. Approximately 300 agents besieged the building going door-to-door, breaking into apartment units, pulling people from their beds, and rounding up and zip-tying families, including children. Amidst the chaos, a DHS-hired camera crew and drones followed agents and filmed the operation inside and outside the building; footage was later released on DHS’ social media accounts as promotional content.
The complaints describe individuals being held at gunpoint, physically kicked or struck by rifles, and marched outside in little to no clothing or pajamas. Residents were targeted based on race and ethnicity. Detainees were not told why they were being held and were never shown warrants, and were barred from contacting attorneys. That night, agents detained over thirty people who were eventually taken to the Broadview ICE facility where they suffered inhumane conditions of confinement. The 18 people filed their complaints collectively to pursue remedies for their individual harms and to hold the entire system accountable. Together, they bring these actions to demand that no government agency acts with such blatant disregard for civil and human rights again.
Read the Claims
Individual Claims
Family #1
Family #2
Family #3
