A federal immigration agent fatally shot an undocumented immigrant during an enforcement operation after he resisted arrest and dragged the agent with his car while attempting to flee, the Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday.
The incident occurred in a Chicago suburb on Friday morning when immigration agents attempted to stop Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, an undocumented immigrant with a history of reckless driving, according to a DHS statement. When agents attempted to arrest him, Villegas-Gonzalez allegedly drove his car toward law enforcement, striking one ICE officer.
The officer, who has not been identified, sustained multiple injuries after being dragged a “significant distance” by Villegas-Gonzalez’s vehicle. DHS reported that he is currently in stable condition.
“We pray for our law enforcement officer’s speedy recovery. In a statement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement.” She went on: “Viral social media videos and activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation but also undermine public safety, as well as the safety of our officers and those being apprehended.”
In its statement, DHS also claimed that ICE law enforcement has faced a “1000% increase in assaults” during enforcement operations. According to agency data, assaults on ICE officers increased by 830% between January 21 and July 14, compared to the same period in 2024.
An ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agent was brutally attacked by Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, an alleged Tren de Aragua gang member, in Bellevue, Nebraska.
Hurtado-Cariaco allegedly threw the agent to the ground, slammed her head against the pavement, ripped off her body armor, and made repeated violent physical contact. The agent suffered serious injuries and was treated at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
According to The New York Times, ICE has increased immigration arrests in Chicago this week following the launch of Operation Midway Blitz on September 8, a joint operation with the Chicago Police Department targeting violent gangs, drug traffickers, and undocumented immigrants.
According to DHS, the operation was launched in memory of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run in January by Julio Cucul-Bol, an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant.
“This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced at the time.
Operation Midway Blitz has already resulted in the arrest of individuals described by DHS as “pedophiles, abusers, rapists, and other violent thugs.”
According to the Times, Chicago residents have been vigilant in reporting ICE activity and sightings to hotlines and websites that track enforcement. Local officials confirm an increase in ICE presence since the operation started.
“In just the last few days in Chicago, ICE has arrested pedophiles, rapists, abusers, armed robbers, and other violent thugs,” McLaughlin told reporters. “President Trump and [DHS] Secretary Noem have delivered a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you enter our country illegally and violate our laws, we will track you down, arrest you, and deport you, and you will never return.”
