Illinois Family Alleges ICE Pepper-Sprayed One-Year-Old

A family in Illinois is alleging that federal immigration agents deployed pepper spray on them, including their one-year-old daughter, inside their vehicle during what they described as a routine shopping trip in a Chicago suburb. The incident reportedly occurred outside a Sam’s Club store in Cicero.

Visual evidence from the scene depicts Rafael Veraza, 25, clutching at his face in distress. He claims he was directly sprayed with a cloudy substance through his open car window by a masked agent operating from a pick-up truck traveling in the opposite direction. Veraza recounted to journalists that his wife alerted him to stop their car because she, their infant daughter, and his sister had also been affected by the irritant.

Distress and Official Denial

The aftermath captured in images shows the young girl in visible distress, her eyes streaming with tears, while being held by her mother. “My daughter was trying to open her eyes. She was struggling to breathe,” Veraza told reporters at a press conference held Sunday, the day after the alleged operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) near the retail establishment.

In stark contrast, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through a statement provided to the Associated Press, unequivocally denied that any such incident took place. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “There was no crowd control or pepper spray deployed in a Sam’s Club parking lot.”

Further, a post on the department’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) asserted, “Rioters began throwing objects at agents and blocking the road.” This statement suggests an entirely different scenario from the family’s account.

Family and Activists Reject Official Narrative

However, Veraza and a coalition of community activists present at the press conference vehemently rejected the DHS’s claims. These activists were protesting what they described as heavy-handed tactics by ICE personnel operating within Chicago and its surrounding areas. “We’re not protestors. We were not even attacking them,” Veraza stated emphatically.

Veraza explained his decision to abandon their shopping plans and drive away from the scene. He described seeing a helicopter hovering overhead and hearing a cacophony of car horns and sirens, which led him to believe an ICE operation was actively underway. This perceived escalation prompted his quick departure, not any engagement in protest or aggressive behavior.

Community Support and Call for Accountability

Local pastor Matt DeMateo corroborated aspects of the family’s story, stating he provided assistance to them following the alleged spraying. DeMateo also recorded video footage showing Veraza struggling to open his eyes and his daughter, Arianna, crying uncontrollably as her mother attempted to comfort her. He expressed his outrage at the situation.

“A family – and I shouldn’t have to say this, but guess what? All US citizens attacked while shopping,” Pastor DeMateo declared, underscoring the citizenship status of those involved. His statement highlighted a growing concern among community leaders regarding the conduct of federal agents and the impact on local residents.

The incident has ignited a debate over the actions of federal immigration agents and the official transparency surrounding their operations. As the family seeks answers and accountability, the conflicting accounts present a challenging narrative for both the public and authorities to navigate.

Source: The Guardian