ICE agents in Chicago news: Mother of 3 in US for 10 years, Grace & Peace Church volunteer among those detained in South Loop

CHICAGO (WLS) — There are new details Thursday about some of the people detained at a South Loop immigration facility Wednesday.

It’s not clear where all of those detained Wednesday are being held.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

There is a possibility that some individuals are currently located in the basement of the downtown U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters. Despite inquiries, the Department of Homeland Security has yet to provide any information regarding this matter.

Marina Lopez, who was taken into custody just one day ago, is presently being held at the Broadview detention center. She is now facing the imminent risk of being deported back to her home country of Guatemala. Lopez’s legal representative mentioned that she had cautioned Lopez about the possibility of this outcome prior to her appointment on Wednesday.

“Despite feeling optimistic about not being detained, Marina had a strong belief that things would turn out in her favor. She even carried her Bible, which was noticeably thick, and took a moment to pray before proceeding with her appointment,” stated attorney Cynthia Fernández.

A mother of three, including two U.S. citizen children, Lopez came into the country 10 years ago, seeking asylum. She was granted a work permit, but her case has been pending because of a prior arrest at the border six months earlier.

SEE MORE: Chicago leaders call for investigation after South Loop ICE arrests, calling it an ‘entrapment’

“She spoke to her husband. She talked to her children. She said, ‘this might be a possibility.’ It could be a couple of days before they saw each other again. She gave him all the paperwork, passports, birth certificates; they put everything in order,” Fernández said.

Speaking from the family’s Ingleside home, her husband, who asked not to show his face, in Spanish, said, “Separating them is very hard. My little girl is only 5. She’s used to being with her mother. She didn’t sleep last night. She kept asking where she was. All I could say is that she’s detained. It breaks my heart.”

But not all of those detained Wednesday had a heads up. Without the benefit of an attorney to guide them, most showed up to their appointments unawares, after receiving texts messages to come in. Among them was Karla Gil Naranjo, a member at Grace & Peace Church.

“She’s an amazing person, working hard. She’ll work full-time, volunteer at the center, come to church,” Pastor John Zayas said.

Speaking from an Immigration Heritage Month luncheon at the Harold Washington Library Thursday, her pastor denounced what he called a lack of due process.

“Here’s an example of someone who is doing it the right way. Following the law, following the process, going to court, doing everything that is being asked of them, and then this happens,” Zayas said.

Her family still doesn’t know where she is.

“She’s followed the process. The day before she was at that site. She did her check-in with ICE, and so what they did was they texted her and said, ‘listen, you forgot to sign some papers.’ So, she went back that day. So, she was set up. It was a trap,” Zayas said.

Lopez’s attorney said she received a call from her client and an immigration officer, looking to see whether she should sign a form authorizing her U.S. citizen children to be deported along with her. She declined.

In a statement Wednesday, an ICE spokesperson said all “Those arrested had executable final orders of removal by an immigration judge and had not complied with that order.”

Lopez’s attorney refuted that, saying she plans to file a stay, hoping to stop the mother of three from being deported.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Chris Murphy Gives Full-Throated Endorsement to Democrat Chaos: 'We Are Going to Rise to This Moment'

Senator Chris Murphy Makes a Candid Comment on Democratic Socialist Mamdani and His Party

CNN’s Kasie Hunt asked Murphy about last week’s shocking upset in the…
Walmart staff panic as bosses roll out mass sackings overnight leaving stores understaffed

Walmart employees become anxious as managers suddenly fire many workers overnight, resulting in stores being short-staffed.

Walmart employees are saying they’re losing coworkers overnight.  As the largest private…
JK Rowling Gets Final Word After Trans-Activist Attacker Ends Up Behind Bars For Child Rape

JK Rowling has the last say as Trans-Activist Attacker is imprisoned for Child Rape

Recently, the author of the beloved “Harry Potter” series expressed her thoughts…
‘Dancing With The Stars’ Adds ‘Mormon Wives’ Stars Whitney Leavitt And Jen Affleck To Season 34

Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck from ‘Mormon Wives’ Join Season 34 of ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Two Mormon women who were featured in the show “Secret Lives of…
‘The Running Man’ Trailer 2025 Explained: Is This Based On The Stephen King ‘Running Man’ Book Or The 1987 Movie?

Explanation of ‘The Running Man’ 2025 Trailer: Is it adapted from Stephen King’s book or the 1987 movie?

Run, run, run, as fast as you can. You can’t catch him,…
New Illinois laws in effect on July 1, 2025 include Chicago minimum wage, gas tax hike, hotel shampoo bottle changes

“Key Changes in Illinois Laws Starting July 1, 2025: Updates on Chicago Minimum Wage, Gas Tax Increase, and Hotel Shampoo Bottle Regulations”

CHICAGO (WLS) — Several new laws take effect in Illinois on July…
Lindsay Lohan shares rare glimpse of son Luai in sweet snaps from Italy trip after revealing she wanted to give him a sibling

Lindsay Lohan’s Heartwarming Photos from Italy Trip Show Rare Moments with Son Luai, as She Expresses Desire for Another Child

Lindsay Lohan shared a glimpse of her son Luai in sweet snaps…
Senate churns through overnight session as Republicans seek support for Trump's big bill

“Republicans Rally Support Through Overnight Senate Session for Major Trump Legislation”

The Senate is currently in the midst of a tense overnight session…
Wednesday Morning Minute: Happy Liberation Day!

Tuesday Morning Recap: A Unique Pride Month

TOP O’ THE MORNIN’ Red-Hot at RedState  CNN is still under fire…
Michigan teacher, 26, facing charges after allegedly telling coworker she had sex with 16-year-old student

“A 26-Year-Old Michigan Teacher in Legal Trouble for Allegedly Discussing Sexual Relationship with 16-Year-Old Student with Coworker”

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A former teacher at…
World leader suspended from office over leaked phone call after deadly border dispute

Leader of a country removed from power due to leaked phone conversation following a serious border conflict

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn…
‘The Old Guard’ Recap: What To Remember From ‘The Old Guard’ Before You Watch ‘The Old Guard 2’

Recap of ‘The Old Guard’: Key Points to Recall Before Watching ‘The Old Guard 2’

It’s been a long five years, but The Old Guard 2 release…