A teacher at the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center in Chicago was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents Wednesday morning as parents were dropping off their children, sparking anger from parents, local officials and lawmakers.
Witnesses and video circulating on social media show federal agents in tactical gear pursuing a woman into the daycare’s entrance area around 7 a.m.; the teacher can be heard shouting in Spanish that she had “papers” as she was restrained and taken into custody. Parents and staff said the sight of armed officers and the commotion terrified children and provoked immediate outrage from families and elected officials.
DHS defended the operation, saying agents had attempted a targeted traffic stop on a vehicle and that the woman fled into the building; DHS officials said the arrest occurred in a vestibule and that the daycare itself was not a target. The department also alleged the detainee misrepresented her identity to officers.
Parents, Rayito de Sol staff and Chicago aldermen described the incident as traumatic and an escalation of a recent enforcement campaign in the city. Ald. Matt Martin said he had seen video from inside and outside the center and called the footage “chilling.” U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley and Rep. Delia Ramirez joined local leaders in demanding answers and accountability from DHS. A rally outside the center drew families and community members protesting the arrest.
Federal and news reports identified the woman as a Colombian national; outlets said she had been in the U.S. since 2023 and had previously been granted a work authorization while an asylum case was pending. DHS said the operation in the Chicago area is part of broader enforcement activity this fall. Critics say the tactics, especially detentions near or at locations where children are present — risk traumatizing families and eroding trust in community institutions.
City and state officials said they are seeking more information about the arrest, including whether agents entered areas of the school beyond the vestibule and whether proper legal procedures were followed. Local lawmakers signaled they would press DHS for explanations and explore legal responses. DHS has said it will provide further updates as facts are confirmed.
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