A disturbing video from Addison, Illinois, has gone viral, showing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent wearing an American flag mask smashing a woman’s car window during an arrest. The incident, which left several detained and the community shaken, has reignited debate over federal immigration tactics. ICE officials say the operation targeted a “criminal alien,” while witnesses insist those taken were legal residents. Local leaders are condemning the act, calling it an “attack on private property” that has fueled fear in the Mexican-American community.
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The Arrest That Sparked Fear
The incident unfolded near the 300 block of West Lake Street in Addison, Illinois, where ICE agents reportedly boxed in a car before smashing its window to apprehend a woman. According to officials, the driver “failed to comply with [ICE] officers’ demands,” prompting agents to break the glass. Several people were taken into custody. ICE later stated that two detainees were being processed for immigration proceedings. Witnesses, however, say the operation was unnecessarily violent and that more people were detained than reported.
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Witnesses Describe Chaos
Community members who witnessed the altercation described a terrifying scene. “Me, as a U.S. citizen, even us are afraid of these guys,” said one local business owner who requested anonymity. “We feel this is something that is not right, not legal,” he told WGNTV. Residents said agents cornered the vehicle in the middle of the street, leaving bystanders in shock as they watched the confrontation unfold. Videos shared online captured screams, broken glass, and confusion as the arrest turned aggressive.
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Addison Police Deny Involvement
Amid growing public outrage, Addison Mayor Tom Hundley issued a statement clarifying that local police were not part of the ICE operation. “Our officers do not assist with federal immigration operations, do not inquire about immigrant status, and are bound by the Illinois TRUST Act,” Hundley said. The statement aimed to calm residents who accused local law enforcement of colluding with federal agents. According to the mayor, Addison Police only arrived after the situation escalated and a crowd began gathering at the scene.
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ICE Justifies the Force Used
A spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement defended the officers’ actions, saying they conducted a lawful “vehicle stop” around 9 a.m. to arrest a “criminal alien.” The statement explained that the vehicle’s occupants “refused to comply,” forcing agents to “break a window to gain entry and make the arrest.” ICE said the agents faced resistance from bystanders as they cleared the scene, requiring backup from Addison Police. “ICE successfully arrested two individuals who are now being processed to face immigration proceedings,” the statement read.
DHS Links Operation to Trump-Era Policy
The Department of Homeland Security framed the arrest as part of President Trump and Secretary Noem’s broader reversal of what they called “lenient” immigration policies from the previous administration. “The safety of ICE officers has once again been unnecessarily endangered by an illegal alien who is accused of resisting the lawful commands of a federal law enforcement officer,” ICE wrote. The agency added that its officers “put their lives on the line every day” to uphold federal law and protect U.S. communities.
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Residents Call It “An Attack”
For many residents in Addison, the incident was more than an arrest—it was a message of intimidation. “We are missing teachers. We are missing children. We are very upset about the situation,” said Lorena Valdes, a local daycare owner. The community’s Mexican-American residents, she explained, are increasingly afraid to leave their homes or go to work. Business owners say fear of further ICE activity has already hurt local commerce. “It’s an attack on private property,” one resident told reporters.
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Legal Resident Later Released
Amid the confusion, local media reported that the driver of the vehicle, whose window was smashed, was in fact a legal U.S. resident. “Sources familiar with the investigation say the vehicle’s driver is a legal resident who was later released from custody,” a local outlet confirmed. That revelation has intensified criticism of ICE, with advocates demanding accountability and transparency. Community members have since called for independent oversight into the agency’s operations in suburban Illinois.