An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot an illegal immigrant during an attempted traffic stop in a suburb northwest of Chicago on Friday after the man drove his car into ICE officers.
The officer was attempting to make an arrest in Franklin Park, Ill., at the time of the incident. Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez resisted and drove his car into the arresting officers, dragging one officer under his car as he attempted to flee the scene.
An ICE agent then shot and killed the 38-year-old man. The injured officer was transported to a nearby hospital. Though the officer suffered “severe injuries,” he is reportedly in stable condition.
“We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “Viral social media videos and activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation, but also undermine public safety, as well as the safety of our officers and those being apprehended.”
Gonzalez was in the country illegally and was a legal citizen of Mexico, according to DHS. He had a record of reckless driving offenses prior to Friday’s attempted traffic stop.
The influx of ICE agents in the greater Chicago area comes as President Donald Trump launched “Operation Midway Blitz” on Monday, in response to the state’s sanctuary policies.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has been critical of the federal immigration officers coming to his state. He took to social media Friday morning to say he was aware of the situation.
“I am aware of the troubling incident that has unfolded in Franklin Park,” Pritzker said in a post on X. “This is a developing situation and the people of Illinois deserve a full, factual accounting of what’s happened today to ensure transparency and accountability.”
ICE did not respond to National Review’s request for comment by the time of publication.