Human Impact Project

A CBP agent was recorded on video on October 31, 2025, repeatedly striking a 27-year-old Chicago man while he was pinned down near Oakton and Asbury in Evanston following a car crash and confrontation between agents and residents. Body-worn camera footage shows him telling officers he needed medical attention, which he did not receive during about five hours in federal custody. He was later charged with assaulting, resisting and impeding federal officers and was not required to post bond. Two other citizens detained in the incident were released without charges after a similar period in custody.

Krzysztof Klim, originally from Poland and now a U.S. citizen, was briefly detained and handcuffed by Border Patrol agents on October 31, 2025, outside a home in Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood while they verified his identification. He was later released.

Two U.S. citizen plumbers working on a property on Harding Avenue in Skokie, Illinois, were approached and questioned by federal immigration agents during an enforcement operation on October 31, 2025. The homeowner who hired the workers, who said he voted for President Trump, witnessed the encounter and stated the agents had no constitutional authority to stop and question the men or demand their papers. He said, 'I mean, two workers, American citizens, working on my lawn, for them to stop and profile them and ask them for papers, there's no constitutional right for them to do that.' No detentions occurred, but the incident raised concerns from the homeowner about agents targeting American citizens.

Jose Garcia-Sorto was shot by a federal ICE agent during a 4 a.m. traffic stop on Interstate 17 near Dove Valley Road in north Phoenix, after allegedly attempting to drive away. DHS said the agent fired twice because he was in the vehicle's path, but the Phoenix New Times reported photos showing damage to the driver's side window rather than the windshield, contradicting that account. Garcia-Sorto's wife said she has been unable to obtain information from authorities about his condition and that he is hospitalized under a different name.

Three U.S. citizens were arrested following a crash and confrontation during a federal immigration enforcement operation at the intersection of Asbury and Oakton in Evanston on October 31, 2025. A red vehicle rear-ended a federal agent vehicle; witnesses reported agents braked suddenly while the government stated agents were attempting a U-turn. During the confrontation, pepper spray was deployed and community members who intervened were also arrested. The three arrested individuals' identities and specific charges remain unclear.

Monica, an Ecuadorian child care worker seeking asylum, was pushed to the ground and shoved into a wall by an ICE agent outside a Manhattan immigration court on September 25, 2025, while agents detained her husband Ruben. The incident, which occurred in front of the couple's two young children and journalists, was captured on video and circulated widely on social media. Monica said she feared Ruben's deportation would amount to a death sentence. The officer, who reportedly had a history of aggressive conduct at the same location, was temporarily relieved of duty after DHS called the conduct unacceptable, but was reinstated days later following a preliminary review despite political calls for felony charges. In late October, a federal court ordered Ruben's release after finding he had been detained without explanation. The family of four has since been reunited, though their asylum cases remain pending.

Fernando Jaramillo Solano, a 45-year-old Colombian national seeking asylum, and his two children, Jana Michel Jaramillo Patiño (12) and Kewin Daniel Patiño Bustamante (15), were detained by ICE agents on October 27, 2025, while being driven to school near a mobile home park in Durango, Colorado. The family had lived in Colorado for over 18 months, held valid documentation showing an active asylum process since December 2024, a pending work permit request, and no criminal record. ICE officials later stated in federal court that Jaramillo Solano was not their intended target. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Durango ICE field office, where agents in tactical gear pepper-sprayed and fired rubber bullets at demonstrators; one protester was allegedly pushed and another, 57-year-old Franci Stagi, was knocked down and put in a chokehold, while 22-year-old Drew Collie was sprayed and struck by rubber bullets. Local police attempting a welfare check on the children were denied entry by federal agents. The father was transferred to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, and the children were held at a facility in southern Texas before immigration officials granted the family voluntary departure, with ICE stating it would facilitate their return to Colombia. The City of Durango requested an investigation into agent conduct from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, which declined the request.

Arthur Berto, a 13-year-old Brazilian asylum seeker living in Everett, Massachusetts, was arrested by local police on suspicion of making a violent threat at school. When his mother, Josiele Berto, went to the police station to retrieve him, she learned ICE had taken him into custody instead, without informing her of his whereabouts or next steps. Authorities later transferred Arthur to a juvenile detention facility in Winchester, Virginia, without notifying his family or attorney. The Everett police chief said this was the first such incident in the city, and local officials disputed DHS claims that Arthur had an 'extensive rap sheet' and a firearm, stating no gun was found. His mother, whose family has a pending asylum application, has only been able to reach him through brief phone calls. A federal judge ordered the government to justify the arrest or provide a bond hearing, and a federal court petition has been filed arguing the detention violates due process.

Edgar Ruiz, a U.S. citizen born in Chicago, was tased in the face by ICE agents outside a 7-Eleven in Des Plaines on October 31, 2025. He was detained for approximately two hours before being released and hospitalized. His undocumented father remained in ICE custody following the incident. Edgar Ruiz, a U.S. citizen born in Chicago, was tased in the face by ICE agents outside a 7-Eleven store in Des Plaines on September 16, 2025, during an operation targeting his undocumented father. Ruiz attempted to hold his vehicle's door closed when agents arrived, and was tased when the agent tried to open it. He was detained for approximately two hours at a facility in Lombard before being released and taken to a hospital for medical attention. His father, Rigoberto Ruiz, who has lived in the United States for 30 years, remained in ICE custody.

Luisa Rodriguez, a Mexican national who immigrated to the U.S. over 30 years ago and worked in courts, was detained by ICE agents on September 28, 2025, at Camp Pendleton's gate while visiting her pregnant daughter, a newly enlisted U.S. Marine. Rodriguez and her husband Esteban Rios were initially released with ankle monitors but were taken back into custody at a subsequent ICE check-in appointment. Rodriguez was held at Otay Mesa Detention Center for nearly three weeks before being released on October 30. Her husband was deported to Tijuana on October 31. The family has pending green card applications and no criminal history.

Homeland Security Investigations agents raided an apartment in Lynden, Washington on October 29, detaining U.S. citizen Jocelyn Peña while arresting her undocumented partner, Jesus Alejandro Lopez Ruiz, on a federal warrant alleging he assaulted an officer during a vehicle pursuit on October 15. Lopez Ruiz was booked into Whatcom County Jail and transferred to federal immigration custody. Advocates and Lopez Ruiz's partner dispute the assault allegation, characterizing the arrest as retribution and intimidation, with claims that no evidence has been provided that the alleged car door contact occurred.

Victor Rodriguez Ocampo Sr., 54, owner of La Playa Taco Shop in Mission Beach, was detained by ICE on October 31 outside his National City home and deported to Mexico after approximately two months at Otay Mesa Detention Center. His son has taken over operations at the restaurant and established a GoFundMe fundraiser that has raised over $18,500 toward legal expenses and family support. Rodriguez Jr. recently joined the U.S. Navy while working a second job to keep the family business operating.

Border Patrol agents conducted immigration enforcement raids across Chicago and nearby suburbs on Halloween, detaining multiple individuals. Incidents included pepper-spray deployment in Albany Park, an agent pointing a weapon at protesters in Evanston, and an officer punching a detainee. Three U.S. citizens were arrested for allegedly obstructing the operations, while five Mexican nationals were detained.

M-J-M-A, a 45-year-old Mexican citizen who entered the U.S. legally in January 2025 and later overstayed her visa, was arrested by ICE on October 30, 2025 while on her way to work. At the Portland ICE facility, an officer pressured her to sign a Spanish-language document waiving her right to an immigration court hearing and requesting voluntary removal, despite her intention to seek asylum, telling her that refusing would delay her departure. When her attorney was finally able to meet with her roughly three hours later, the meeting was cut short after only about 10 minutes. ICE then shackled her and transferred her to a facility in Tacoma, Washington, leaving her without attorney contact for approximately two days.

Armando Garcia Picazo, detained by ICE in August without legal status, was ordered released by federal judge Leonard Strand after being denied bond approved by an immigration judge. Garcia Picazo was held at Woodbury County jail for over two months before filing a habeas corpus lawsuit. He was required to post $6,000 bond and will continue his immigration case on a non-detained docket.

Two employees of SUNY Upstate Medical University were detained by ICE on Wednesday while attending immigration hearings to finalize their legal status. The workers were taken into custody before entering the courtroom and are being held at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, facing possible deportation. Union officials from CSEA and UUP issued statements regarding ICE's actions.

Ruperto Vicens Marquez, 38, head chef and co-owner of Emilio's Kitchen in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, was detained by ICE on October 19, 2025. He is a father of three and co-owns the restaurant with his brother Emilio, after the pair worked together for seven years at another local restaurant, Copper Canyon. ICE says an immigration judge issued him a final removal order in July, but his attorney and Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner dispute this, noting he has valid work authorization through 2029 and a pending merits hearing scheduled for 2028. He has been held at Newark's Delaney Hall Detention Facility since his arrest. A protest was held in his support, a GoFundMe campaign has raised $85,000 for legal fees, and more than 200 community letters have been submitted on his behalf. A judge has granted him a bond hearing within seven days.

Rian Andrianzah, an Indonesian national, was arrested by ICE agents while attending what he believed was a routine biometrics appointment in Philadelphia. His arrest occurred while his wife waited in another room, and he was subsequently sent to a Central Pennsylvania detention center where he now faces deportation. The arrest is part of the Trump administration's strategy shift to apprehend green card applicants, asylum seekers, and others engaged in legal immigration processes.

A 16-year-old boy named Diego had both parents taken in separate ICE raids. After being released from ICE custody, Diego's mother Yolanda shared her account of the experience. The incident was originally covered in November of the previous year.

MJMA, a 45-year-old farm worker and lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit, was detained in a van stop by ICE agents who smashed the vehicle's windows without waiting for occupants to comply with commands. Body-camera footage shows MJMA asserting her right to remain silent and requesting a lawyer in Spanish, while an officer broke her phone as she called 911. Agents used facial recognition software to scan her face multiple times, obtaining inaccurate matches—one incorrectly identifying her as "Maria"—and falsely claiming she entered the country unlawfully when she had actually arrived with a valid temporary visa. A federal judge ruled the arrests unlawful and unjustified, finding officers engaged in misconduct, made inaccurate statements in reports, and improperly used facial recognition technology without warrants. MJMA has an ongoing asylum case.