ICE Agents Throw Democratic Candidate To Ground During Confrontation
A Democratic congressional candidate tied to the left-wing congressional “Squad” was thrown to the ground by federal officers this week during a confrontation outside an immigration processing center in Illinois.
Kat Abughazaleh, a former journalist running in a crowded Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th District, posted a video online showing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents physically restraining her after she blocked an ICE vehicle, The Chicago Sun-Times
The incident unfolded outside the agency’s Broadview facility, according to the Western Journal. The video shows Abughazaleh, dressed in jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt, standing in front of an ICE van as protesters and reporters crowded around. When she refused to move, agents forced her away. Another officer reportedly deployed tear gas in an effort to disperse the surrounding crowd.
“This is what it looks like when ICE violates our First Amendment rights,” Abughazaleh wrote on X while sharing the clip.
But the reaction online was not sympathetic.
“Kat Abughazaleh admittedly obstructed ICE agents,” one critic wrote, tagging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Make a legal example out of this criminal.”
Another pointed to 18 U.S.C. § 111, a federal statute that criminalizes resisting or impeding federal officers while they perform official duties. The law carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.