BREAKING: Faith leaders have once again been denied entry to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois, during a significant protest on November 1, 2025. Local activists gathered this morning to conduct a Mass for All Saints Day outside the facility, highlighting ongoing concerns over the treatment of detainees.
The delegation, led by renowned activist Sister JoAnn Persch, attempted to enter the facility to offer spiritual support and Communion to detainees. However, their request was swiftly rejected by federal immigration agents, who cited safety protocols. “Unfortunately, we were denied entrance,” stated Rev. Juan Vargas, associate pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish. “But we still had our moment of spiritual communion with everyone who’s been detained.”
An estimated 2,000 people attended the 10 a.m. Mass, with approximately 800 receiving the Eucharist. The event began with a solemn liturgy, followed by a lively protest featuring costumed attendees and calls for an end to ICE operations in the area. Protesters set up altars, or ofrendas, for Día de Los Muertos, memorializing those who lost their lives during immigration confrontations, including Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, who was fatally shot by ICE agents in September.
Tensions escalated during the protest as participants engaged in a “Jericho walk,” a symbolic march intended to disrupt ICE operations, echoing the Biblical story of the fall of Jericho. Local authorities established designated “free speech zones” to contain the gathering, but many demonstrators continued to voice their opposition to federal immigration policies.
As the event progressed, police confronted protesters, resulting in several arrests for disorderly conduct. A spokesperson for the Cook County Sheriff’s office confirmed that four individuals were arrested during the demonstration. As clashes intensified, officers used pepper balls to disperse the crowd, creating a volatile atmosphere.
The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership has been actively seeking to resume pastoral care at the Broadview facility, which has seen restricted access in recent years. “We’re trying to follow all the procedures, sending emails, but there’s no letting us know what the next step is,” Vargas expressed, emphasizing the emotional toll on both detainees and their families.
The protest underscores the growing frustration with federal immigration policies and the lack of transparency regarding conditions within the Broadview processing center. Activists are calling for immediate action to allow spiritual leaders to provide necessary support to those detained.
As the situation continues to develop, community members and activists remain steadfast in their commitment to advocating for humane treatment of immigrants. “Every minute that we do this is a minute well spent protecting our neighbors,” said organizer Rachel Cohen.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation as the community rallies for change outside the Broadview ICE facility.
