Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh was physically restrained by federal officers outside an immigration processing center in Illinois during a protest. The incident, which took place outside ICE’s Broadview facility, was captured on video and later posted by Abughazaleh. She is currently running in a competitive Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th District and has aligned herself with progressive, anti-ICE politics.
In the video, Abughazaleh stands in front of an ICE van as protesters and reporters gather nearby. After she refuses to move, officers forcefully remove her. Tear gas was also reportedly deployed to disperse the surrounding crowd. Abughazaleh later claimed on social media that her First Amendment rights were violated by ICE agents during the encounter.
Another pointed to 18 U.S.C. § 111, a federal statute that criminalizes resisting or impeding federal officers while they perform official duties. The law carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.
The incident drew criticism online, with some commenters accusing Abughazaleh of obstructing federal officers and citing 18 U.S.C. § 111, which criminalizes impeding law enforcement. While no official charges have been announced, critics argue that her actions warrant legal consequences to deter similar behavior in future protests.
Abughazaleh, a former journalist and Media Matters staffer, is positioning herself as a progressive challenger in a crowded field. She currently leads in campaign fundraising with approximately $666,000 in cash on hand. The seat she’s running for has long been held by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who is not seeking reelection.
Her clash with ICE follows a series of similar protests by progressive Democrats at immigration facilities. Earlier this year, Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was arrested during a protest in New Jersey, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was briefly detained in the same incident. These demonstrations are part of a broader push by some on the left to directly confront immigration enforcement.
It remains unclear whether Abughazaleh will face charges. ICE has not issued a formal statement about the incident but typically defends its enforcement actions, citing operational and public safety concerns.
