October 10 2025, 08:15 
Gay Chicago Alderwoman Jessie Fuentes was violently detained by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who handcuffed her in a fit of rage on Friday.
Her crime? She asked to see a warrant.
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Fuentes was alerted by hospital officials that ICE agents were on the premises at Humboldt Park Health in the city’s 26th Ward, which Fuentes represents on the Chicago City Council.
Fuentes, her staff, and other rapid responders made their way quickly to the hospital, where a man who evaded the agents and broke his leg was being attended to by staff.
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Video of Fuentes with the officers shows the alderwoman repeatedly asking them, “Do you have a signed judicial warrant for him?”
“He has constitutional rights,” Fuentes says to one of the ICE agents, who repeats, “No” in answer, and grows visibly angry with Fuentes’ presence.
“I am going to arrest you if you do not leave,” the agent warns her, his voice rising. When Fuentes asks again, “Do you have a signed judicial warrant for him?” the agent grabs her wrist, violently pulls her back to him, and handcuffs her.
Fuentes remained unflappable during the encounter and asked the question over and over as she was led out of the emergency room reception area where the incident occurred.
“We do not need a warrant,” both officers say in the video as they hold Fuentes.
Video shared w/ @Suntimes shows ICE agents handcuff Ald. Jessie Fuentes at a Humboldt Park hospital Friday. She asked if they had a warrant for a man detained who was inured during a chase. She was released after asking, “What law did I break?” she said. (Video by Fuentes’ staff) pic.twitter.com/YoDJk8reSq
— Kade Heather (@KadeHeather) October 3, 2025
Fuentes explained what happened next in a press conference following her detention.
“When they walked me out of the emergency room, several vehicles pull up. A white Expedition with Border Patrol was ready to put me in the car. And I simply asked, ‘Well, what did I do wrong? Outside of asking you if you had a signed judicial warrant, I want you to articulate to me, what law did I break?’ They had to take those handcuffs off.”
Fuentes shared that the 37-year-old man arrested by ICE remains in the hospital and might need surgery. She said she has yet to see a signed judicial warrant authorizing ICE to arrest him in the hospital.
Last week, President Trump began a promised occupation of Chicago with National Guard troops on the pretense of supporting ICE agents and to protect federal property in the city. Both Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have told Trump not to send troops, calling them a lawless provocation. Trump has responded by threatening to jail them both.
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