Broadview protesters are calling for the release of a Chicago mother who was detained by ICE during a routine check-in in South Loop.

Immigration groups are calling for the immediate release of a Chicago mother who was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week during a routine visit to the immigration office.

On Friday afternoon, several white ICE vans transporting detainees were seen leaving the Broadview Immigration Processing Center. The destination of these vans and whether Gladis Yolanda Chavez Pineda, a long-time Chicago resident, was among the detainees remains unknown. Pineda was one of the individuals detained by ICE during a regular check-in in the South Loop.

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According to Nadia Singh from Legal Aid, who was present during the incident, they were not even allowed to hug Pineda before she was taken into custody. Despite attending previous check-ins with her and being inside the office, they were separated from Pineda when she was escorted to the back and not allowed to return.

It took two days for Chavez Pineda’s attorneys to locate her. ICE took her to the Broadview processing center, where she and other detainees were forced to sleep on the floor because the facility is not supposed to be an overnight facility.

“We were not allowed to give her a hug. We had to stand at least 10 feet back. She was in handcuffs. She wanted to give her appreciation. When she started speaking about her daughter, she did start crying,” Singh said.

Chavez Pineda came to the United States 10 years ago to give her daughter a better life. The 47-year-old was in the lengthy process of applying for asylum.

“Our office has represented Gladis since 2017, during which time we’ve complied with all requests provided to appear to several appointments, complied with certain surveillance requirements,” said AJ Johnson Reyes, with Legal Aid.

Surveillance requirements include an ankle bracket for electronic monitoring. Chavez Pineda does not have a criminal record, and is not considered an enforcement priority.

She is a member and activist for the organization Organized Communities Against Deportations, known as OCAD. The group and Illinois Coalition for Refugee Rights protested, demanding Chavez Pineda’s release Friday.

Chavez Pineda does have an order of removal against her. However, she is in the process of appealing it. Late Thursday night, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of deportation. But, her Chicago alderwoman and lawyers fear ICE may not comply.

“There is no due process, and everybody deserves due process under the Constitution. So, we’re just watching how this happened in front of our eyes,” 37th Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez said.

Lawyers say, under previous administrations, ICE officers were given more discretion when presented with court orders. Now, officers say all decisions are up to headquarters.