A serious confrontation unfolded in Chicago when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol agents found themselves boxed in by vehicles and protesters while on patrol. According to federal sources, the agents were encircled and rammed by approximately ten vehicles during the incident.  Internal dispatch recordings and memos indicate that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) had units ready to respond but were allegedly ordered by the “Chief of Patrol” to stand down — a directive reportedly transmitted via a memo stating: “PLEASE CHIEF OF PATROL NO UNITS WILL RESPOND…CALLER IS 1 OF APPROX 30 ARMED PATROL AGENTS (ICE)…WHO ARE BEING SURROUNDED.”

Law‐enforcement unions were swift in their condemnation. The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and its Illinois chapter labelled the directive a “shocking violation of duty,” asserting that “when an officer calls for assistance, you answer no matter what.” Meanwhile, CPD leadership rejected the notion of a blanket refusal, stating officers did respond to the scene for public safety and traffic control, and attributing the confusion to communication issues.

The incident has escalated tensions between federal and local law-enforcement agencies in Chicago, especially given the city’s sanctuary policy and ongoing immigration enforcement operations. A federal investigation has been launched to determine whether local officers failed to uphold their duty when federal agents were under threat. Legal experts warn that if the stand-down order is confirmed, it may raise serious liability issues under Illinois law (e.g., 720 ILCS 5/7-15) and federal statutes pertaining to deprivation of rights under color of law.