ICE Operation at Walmart Sparks Racial Profiling Allegations in Chicago (VIDEO)

ICE Raid in Chicago Sparks Racial Profiling Allegations

Civilians Detained at Random

Racial Profiling Allegations

Several agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid in the parking lot of a Walmart in Cicero, a suburb west of Chicago, causing panic among shoppers present at the scene.

According to witnesses, the agents stepped out of their vehicles and began questioning civilians at random, without a clear pattern or apparent warrants.

ICE Raid Sparks Alarm in Chicago

ICE agents targeted a Walmart this week in Cicero, Illinois pic.twitter.com/xmGGvGZb2N

— My Life In The CHI (@mylifeinthechi) October 24, 2025

Witnesses said the questions were directed at people who were simply shopping, without any indication of wrongdoing or investigation.

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During the ICE operation, at least two people were detained.

Agents reportedly continued making multiple stops within the same parking lot and surrounding areas, spreading fear among shoppers.

An Operation Without Specific Targets

Available information indicates that the ICE operation in Cicero was not focused on individuals with criminal backgrounds or pre-identified targets.

On the contrary, the detentions appeared to be based solely on physical appearance or skin color.

A video recorded at the scene shows agents questioning several Latino shoppers as others watch in disbelief.

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In the footage, a woman is seen being approached by officers; however, after verifying her citizenship, she was released.

Activists and Cicero residents denounced the raid, saying such actions foster a climate of fear within immigrant communities — particularly in areas where Latino residents make up the majority.

Local legal aid organizations described the incident as “a textbook case of racial profiling.”

Racial Profiling and Fear Among Communities

The ICE operation in Cicero revives a longstanding issue in the greater Chicago area: the use of racial profiling as a criterion for immigration enforcement.

Several advocacy groups have denounced that, despite official promises to focus on individuals with criminal records, ICE raids often end up targeting workers and families without any criminal history.

The incident also underscores the ongoing tension between immigrant populations and federal enforcement agencies.

Many residents now fear performing everyday activities — such as shopping or going to work — due to the risk of being wrongfully detained.

Although ICE has not yet issued an official statement about the Cicero operation, the incident has sparked strong backlash on social media, with calls for an investigation into the agency’s practices and for greater protection of civil rights.