Chicago Officials Prove That A School “ICE Raid” Was Something Else

Chicago officials scramble to correct misinformation about an alleged ICE raid at elementary school, revealing it was actually Secret Service agents investigating a threat.

At a Glance

  • Chicago officials, including Governor Pritzker, falsely claimed ICE agents visited Hamline Elementary School
  • It was later revealed that U.S. Secret Service agents, not ICE, were at the school investigating a threat
  • The incident sparked fear and anxiety in the immigrant community, highlighting tensions over immigration policies
  • Chicago Public Schools and city officials later admitted to the misunderstanding and reiterated their sanctuary city status

Misinformation Sparks Panic in Chicago

A wave of panic swept through Chicago’s immigrant community when city officials, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, erroneously claimed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents had visited Hamline Elementary School. The incident, which occurred amid heightened tensions over immigration policies, quickly escalated as misinformation spread through official channels and social media.

Governor Pritzker, reacting to initial reports, took to social media to criticize the supposed ICE raid.

“After a week of Republicans sowing fear and chaos, the first reports of raids in Chicago are at an elementary school. Targeting children and separating families is cruel and un-American,” Pritzker said.

But that isn’t what happened – although, even if it was, who cares? Illegal aliens shouldn’t be able to hide in schools, should they?

As the situation unfolded, it became clear that a significant misunderstanding had occurred. ICE confirmed that its agents were not present at Hamline Elementary School. Instead, it was revealed that U.S. Secret Service agents had visited the school as part of an investigation into a threat against a government official, completely unrelated to immigration enforcement.

Chicago Public Schools officials, who had initially reported ICE presence, were forced to backtrack. The school system’s Chief Education Officer and CEO Pedro Martinez both acknowledged the error, attributing it to a “misunderstanding” and the heightened state of alert due to recent changes in federal immigration policies.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson moved quickly to correct the misinformation and reassure the city’s immigrant population.

“Chicago will always be a welcoming city, and we will always uphold the welcoming city ordinance, and we will always protect our students and every resident of our city. Today Secret Service agents, not ICE, were present at John H. Hamline Elementary School,” Johnson said.

Well, it’s welcoming to immigrants. To illegals? If Trump has his way, it won’t be so welcoming.