Urgent: Federal Agents Pepper Spray 1-Year-Old During Clashes

UPDATE: In a shocking incident during federal immigration operations in Little Village on September 30, 2023, a 1-year-old girl was pepper sprayed by Border Patrol agents. This alarming event unfolded just days after a federal judge imposed stricter regulations on the use of force by immigration enforcement agents.

Video evidence shows Rafael Veraza and his family caught in the chaos at a Sam’s Club parking lot in Cicero, where they sought refuge from the escalating tensions. Veraza described how the agents began spraying pepper gas indiscriminately, stating, “He started spraying from the front of the car towards the back. Basically, I got sprayed all over my face.” The impact was immediate and severe—Veraza, who suffers from asthma, struggled to breathe, while his daughter, Arianna, experienced distress and was later hospitalized.

The incident occurred amid a backdrop of escalating clashes between law enforcement and protesters, raising urgent questions about the federal government’s tactics. Officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended their actions, despite the backlash. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed, “There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot,” despite numerous eyewitness accounts to the contrary.

Tensions in Little Village escalated when individuals allegedly opened fire on Border Patrol agents, prompting a heavy police response. DHS reported that law enforcement faced gunfire and violent confrontations, including brick-throwing and vehicle rammings. They described a chaotic scene where agents were reportedly attacked multiple times, leading to the deployment of crowd control measures.

In response to the federal actions, community leaders and elected officials rallied around Veraza, condemning the government’s response as excessive and dangerous. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García criticized what he termed a “campaign of terror” against Chicago’s immigrant community, urging citizens to document their experiences carefully. “If we succumb to violence, we will lose our battle,” he warned.

The National Lawyers Guild Chicago voiced concerns about the use of excessive force, stating, “Trump’s federal agents turned what would have been a quiet Saturday afternoon into a dangerous and unsafe environment.” They reported multiple arrests and a push for legal monitoring of federal activities in the area.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this incident, the focus shifts to the ongoing appeals regarding the judge’s injunction on immigration enforcement tactics. Protesters remain mobilized, with organizations like the Indivisible Chicago Alliance organizing actions and educational sessions to inform residents of their rights.

What happens next remains uncertain, but the implications of this event are profound. Calls for accountability and reform are growing louder as residents demand protection from what they perceive as aggressive federal overreach.

Stay tuned as this story develops, and community leaders continue to speak out against the federal government’s actions. The incident in Cicero is more than a local concern; it reflects a nationwide debate over immigration enforcement and community safety.