CHICAGO – A day care worker’s arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in front of children at a North Side preschool has sparked widespread anger, protests, and calls for accountability from local leaders and parents. The incident occurred Wednesday morning at Rayito de Sol Early Learning Center in the 2500 block of West Addison Street in the North Center–Roscoe Village area.
Witnesses and local officials described a chaotic and distressing scene, alleging that ICE agents entered the facility without a warrant and forcibly detained a teacher who, according to community advocates, has a valid work permit and a pending asylum case.
The Arrest Inside the Day Care
Parents and staff said the arrest happened around 7:15 a.m., just as families were arriving for the school day. Witnesses reported that armed ICE agents wearing tactical jackets entered the day care and took the woman into custody in front of staff and young children.
“This is a day care—there are so many children who come here every day,” said parent Adam Gonzalez. “For someone to take a preschool teacher who pours herself into these children is just not right.”
Witnesses claimed that agents did not show a warrant and ignored the teacher’s attempts to present her documentation. Video obtained by ABC7 reportedly shows agents dragging the woman from the building as she pleaded in Spanish that she had legal papers.
Conflicting Accounts Between DHS and Local Officials
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement asserting that ICE agents were not targeting the day care, but rather attempting a traffic stop involving the woman and a male driver. DHS said the pair fled into the center and “attempted to barricade themselves inside.”
According to the agency, the woman is an undocumented immigrant from Colombia who allegedly paid smugglers to bring her two teenage children into the country. DHS said she “lied about her identity” and was arrested “inside a vestibule, not in the school.”
Local officials, however, disputed DHS’s version. Chicago representatives said they have reviewed the day care’s security footage, which contradicts the claim that the suspects barricaded themselves or endangered children.
“There was no barricading, no threat to the kids—agents pushed their way into a private business illegally,” said parent Maria Guzman.
Lawmakers Condemn ICE’s Actions
Chicago officials and Illinois lawmakers swiftly condemned the incident. Alderman Matt Martin (47th Ward) demanded the worker’s immediate release, calling the event “a terrorizing act” that violated the community’s sense of safety.
“We need this educator home. Her family needs her, her students need her, and our community needs ICE to stop terrorizing our neighborhoods,” Martin said.
U.S. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez also reviewed the surveillance footage and said agents entered multiple classrooms while children were present.
“They didn’t just chase one person—they went into multiple rooms looking for teachers. This is an agency that has gone rogue,” Ramirez said.
Congressman Mike Quigley added that the woman’s asylum case and valid work permit should have prevented such a public and aggressive encounter. “What happened today should send shivers down the spine of every parent,” Quigley stated.
Community Reaction and Protest
By Wednesday afternoon, dozens of parents, community members, and advocacy groups gathered outside Rayito de Sol for a protest and solidarity rally. Demonstrators demanded transparency from ICE and called for the woman’s immediate release.
Parents described the scene as traumatizing for the children who witnessed their teacher’s arrest.
“Schools are supposed to be places of safety and not where we have to explain to our kids why their teacher was dragged away by people with guns,” said parent Tara Goodarzi.
The day care remained closed after the incident, and it is still unclear where the detained teacher is being held.
What Happens Next
As of Wednesday evening, ICE had not announced any formal charges, and the teacher’s identity has not been confirmed publicly. Local leaders said they will continue pressing for her release and are seeking federal oversight into ICE’s conduct.
Community members and local officials plan to hold follow-up rallies in the coming days to demand accountability from federal immigration authorities.
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