Video captured the moment tear gas was deployed during tense protests at a federal immigration facility in suburban Broadview Friday.
According to reports from the scene, cans of “Riot Control CS” spray were used against demonstrators who were outside the facility attempting to block vehicles from entering and exiting.
At least one can was also left near media vehicles at the scene, NBC Chicago reporter Jenn Schanz said.
“I know it stung my eyes and it was very hard to breathe,” Schanz said. “Protesters were sprayed with those canisters, and then another canister was placed by our media trucks right on the grass there. So there was a huge disbursement of people.”
The demonstrations, which began hours earlier, had led to clashes with armed guards and at least one arrest throughout the morning.
The Broadview building is being used for processing as part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Video and photos from NBC Chicago photographer George Mycyk captured the moment tear gas was used.
Clouds of smoke rose from the ground as protesters were seen and heard dispersing and coughing.
A photo captured by Mycyk showed the bottle of what appeared to have been sprayed, marked with the words “riot control CS.” Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) is noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention among the commonly used “riot control agents,” also called “tear gas.”
Earlier Friday morning, a group of about two dozen protesters, some holding signs speaking out against immigration enforcement, were seen gathering at the facility. Protests have been held at the building for several weeks amid concerns over heightened immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.
At one point, the protesters were seen surrounding a van as it attempted to leave the facility.
The van eventually backs up into the facility parking lot behind a gate and minutes later, the gate reopens as what appears to be armed staff in uniforms, some with faces covered by masks, walk towards protesters, gesturing at them to move back.
At one point, guards appear to physically move activists in an attempt to clear a path. Staff can then be seen detaining an individual, and brining them back behind the gate.
As the morning went on, crowds at the protest grew, with visits from Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez.
The clashes come as immigration enforcement across the Chicago area continues, despite criticism and concerns from area officials. Steady streams of unmarked cars and masked immigration agents have been seen bringing in detainees to the Broadview processing center.
“We’re losing people every day. Every day we are losing people,” said Christopher Gomez, who told NBC 5 Investigates his brother was detained by agents during a traffic stop Thursday morning.
Families of ICE detainees interviewed by NBC 5 Investigates say they have struggled to get information about their loved one’s condition, their court status or whether or not they’ve been deported.
Increased immigration enforcement operations began in earnest last week; and continued this week with both ICE and the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posting videos to social media of immigration raids.
But the families’ questions and concerns come as increased immigration enforcement show no sign of slowing down.
The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have yet to provide firm numbers to NBC 5 Investigates on the number of people detained since “Operation Midway Blitz” began last week.
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