CHICAGO (WLS) — CEO Pedro Martinez of Chicago Public Schools addressed inquiries on Saturday regarding the erroneous claim that ICE officials were present at a school on Friday.
Martinez stood by the district’s handling of the misleading ICE report at a school where more than 90% of the students are Latino, while a city alderperson pointed the finger at CPS for creating unnecessary alarm.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
The incident happened Friday morning at Hamline Elementary School in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Initially, CPS had indicated that it was agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who had visited the school. Subsequently, the ABC7 I-Team verified that the officials were actually from the U.S. Secret Service.
The I-Team reported the Secret Service was investigating a threat and responded to a house. They said they were then told the person they wanted to talk to was at Hamline Elementary School, but they did not enter the school, the Secret Service told the I-Team.
The community has been on edge since President Donald Trump announced ICE agents will come to schools. According to the 2025 Illinois Report Card, Hamline Elementary’s student population is 92% Latino.
The weekend brought some well-needed quietness to Hamline Elementary. Friday was anything but, when panic spread quickly after a false report of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showing up at the Back of Yards elementary school.
“It was an unfortunate misunderstanding, but actually a really good lesson for us,” Martinez said.
Martinez defended the incident Saturday by saying the school followed all the protocols as if the agents were ICE. The principal did not let them in, but it was Secret Service agents that came to Hamline unannounced. The agency claims the agents identified themselves and left business cards. They were looking for a student who made a threat to a government official.
“Regardless, we are not going to allow a federal agent to come in, whether it’s immigration or another agency, without the legal jurisdiction without making sure they have a warrant,” Martinez said.
The confusion produced chaos at Hamline. The media descended on the school as CPS officials held a news conference, followed by Chicago Teachers Union. Immigration groups arrived and parents panicked as some took their kids out of school.
“We saw loads of people that we didn’t know. We saw a few protesters at this school,” 20th Ward Ald. Jeanette Taylor said. “And so where was the protection? What did CPS safety and security do? My opinion, nothing.”
Hamline sits in Ald. Taylor’s ward. She said Martinez must take accountability for the situation.
“So you were quick to put out something without doing a real investigation, causes more harm to the community than help,” Taylor said.
Taylor said Martinez should have called Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office before responding to the school. Moving forward, Taylor is calling on the Johnson administration and CPS to have a coordinated plan when ICE does show up.
Mayor Johnson shared a statement about the situation on social media Friday, saying it is “imperative that individuals not spread unverified information that sparks fear across the city.”
CPS officials shared the following statement Friday evening:
“Earlier today, Chicago Public School leaders shared that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents showed up this morning (Friday) at Hamline Elementary School. After our District officials shared public statements, we learned that the agents who visited the school were from the U.S. Secret Service. Our original communication was a result of a misunderstanding, reflective of the fear and concerns in the community amid the new administration’s focus on undocumented immigrants. Here’s what happened: Two individuals showed up at the school door and presented identification that includes the name Department of Homeland Security, the federal agency that oversees ICE. School officials proceeded to respond to the agents with the understanding that they were from ICE, amid rumors and reports that the agency was in the community. Regardless of which branch of Homeland Security visited this school, officials followed the established protocols to ensure student safety. The agents were not allowed into the school or permitted to speak with staff or students. Hamline administrators also worked with CPS’ Law Department and CPS’ Office of Safety and Security. The situation was handled with the federal agents leaving the campus without entry. While this was a misunderstanding in terms of the specific branch of DHS, the school’s response demonstrates that our system, in partnership with community organizations, is prepared and ready to keep our students and staff safe.”
Chicago police said they were not notified of the incident.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
