A confrontation between US Border Patrol agents and residents in Chicago’s Little Village neighbourhood has drawn sharp criticism after a father and his one-year-old daughter were allegedly pepper-sprayed.
The incident took place on Saturday morning in the Sam’s Club parking lot in Cicero during Operation Midway Blitz.
Rafael Veraza told ABC News that agents sprayed him and his daughter Arianna as they were sitting in their car. “He started spraying from the front of the car towards the back. Basically I got sprayed all over my face,” Veraza said.
He added that, being asthmatic, he struggled to breathe almost instantly, while his daughter also inhaled the gas and had difficulty opening her eyes. Both were briefly hospitalised.
DHS denies allegations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied using pepper spray in the parking lot. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote on social media, “No. There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot.” DHS claimed its agents had entered the area after facing “gunfire and other attacks” from individuals following a series of violent confrontations in Little Village.
Here’s video of federal agents doing a drive by pepper spraying that hit a father and his one-year old on Saturday when the Feds were hitting Little Village and Ciceropic.twitter.com/hV8YBI3o8z
Here’s video of federal agents doing a drive by pepper spraying that hit a father and his one-year old on Saturday when the Feds were hitting Little Village and Cicero pic.twitter.com/hV8YBI3o8z
— Gregory Royal Pratt (@royalpratt) November 9, 2025
According to a DHS statement, Border Patrol agents were “boxed in” and attacked by gunfire, bricks, and vehicles while conducting immigration enforcement operations. The department said the convoy was later rammed in the Sam’s Club parking lot and released photos showing vehicle damage. However, it did not explain why Veraza and his family were caught in the crossfire.
The incident comes amid heightened tension over federal immigration enforcement, just days after a judge tightened limits on the use of force by immigration agents. Activists and local groups have condemned the Border Patrol’s actions, calling them excessive and unjustified.
The Indivisible Chicago Alliance held a “day of action” on Sunday, distributing “ICE watch” kits and hosting legal rights workshops. Meanwhile, DHS continues to describe those involved in the clashes as “rioters,” saying nine people were arrested, eight of them US citizens.
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176266012850070425.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-176274503857288586.webp)
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-176251927268749331.webp)
/images/ppid_a911dc6a-image-176253230473761774.webp)
