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A shocking video making the rounds on X is putting ICE back in the hot seat, this time over claims that agents pulled parents from their vehicle in Illinois, shoved them into a government car, and sped off, leaving three children alone and terrified in the family SUV. The clip, originally posted on TikTok, quickly spread across social media, including X, with the hashtag #AbandonedByICE, drawing widespread condemnation from immigrant rights groups, lawmakers, and everyday users who say the agency is crossing dangerous lines in its latest crackdown.
One user fumed, “ICE separates children from their parents on the road, speeding away without explanation. This is not law—it’s terrorizing innocent families.” Another said, “Same happened a few weeks ago in Patchogue, Long Island. Housekeeper was taken and two kids left behind. One 11 and the other 8. The employer came to pick them up. This is becoming routine.”
The original X poster, who helped amplify the clip, slammed the tactics, writing, “It’s horrible this is happening and they don’t even tell the kids they’re taking them. They just leave, period.” The viral video comes as ICE confirms a sweeping operation dubbed Operation Midway Blitz, targeting undocumented immigrants across Illinois and the surrounding region.
ICE Surge in Chicago: 250 Arrested Since September 6
According to ABC, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood claims ICE leadership told her that 250 people have already been taken into custody since September 6 in the Chicago metro area and suburbs. Those arrested are being transferred to detention centers in Indiana and Wisconsin. The Trump administration insists the operation is focused on undocumented immigrants with prior criminal records, but civil rights advocates argue the dragnet is traumatizing families and casting far too wide a net.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem even posted from Chicago this week, touting the crackdown. Law enforcement teams include ICE, U.S. Marshals, DEA, and ATF. Community leaders and immigrant rights groups plan to rally in Melrose Park to protest not just the viral child separation video, but also the fatal ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez in Franklin Park.
ICE says Villegas-Gonzalez struck and dragged an officer with his car during a “targeted enforcement activity” and was shot in self-defense. Advocates, however, are calling for full transparency in the investigation, saying the official narrative leaves too many unanswered questions.
Viral Illinois Video Sparks Outrage as Critics Accuse ICE of Acting Like ‘Bounty Hunters’
The video of the Illinois family has become a lightning rod online, racking up hundreds of thousands of views within hours. Critics accuse ICE of acting like “bounty hunters” rather than law enforcement, while supporters of immigrant rights are using the footage to demand urgent reform.
One furious commenter wrote, “This is not law enforcement, it’s terror. Children should never be left abandoned on the road — no matter what their parents’ status is.” With pressure mounting, elected officials in Illinois are being pushed to respond to the viral clip, as public anger over ICE’s aggressive tactics shows no sign of slowing down.
It should be noted that while the individual filming claims the officers were from ICE, the vest seen in the video only says “POLICE,” raising questions.
