Illinois Representative Falsely Claims About Arrest of Undocumented Immigrant at Local Preschool

ICE Officials Respond to Rep. Quigley’s Claims

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) representatives have accused U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) of “intentionally misrepresenting the facts” regarding the apprehension of a Colombian woman living illegally in the U.S. This incident took place at a preschool in the Chicago area. The woman, along with a male associate, reportedly fled from ICE agents and sought refuge in a daycare center.

Quigley had asserted that ICE “took a kindergarten teacher without a warrant in front of children” at the preschool in Cook County. In response, ICE officials charged Quigley with deliberately disseminating false information about the incident.

ICE clarified that the situation unfolded when a police officer attempted to pull over a vehicle linked to the woman, an undocumented immigrant. Instead of stopping, the driver led the officer on a chase, eventually driving into a shopping center where the kindergarten facility was located. Both individuals exited the vehicle and barricaded themselves at the school’s entrance, putting children and staff at risk, according to authorities.

Eventually, the woman was taken into custody but not before she provided misleading information about her identity.

Officers later discovered her status as an illegal immigrant from Colombia. She also claimed she didn’t know the male driver, stating he simply picked her up from a bus stop.

ICE officials have stated they will share more details about the incident as they emerge.

According to ICE, statements like those made by Rep. Quigley fan the flames of anti-ICE sentiment, increasing risks to agents and the public, with threats against ICE personnel having surged by over 8,000 percent in recent times.

In response to ICE’s public statements, Quigley stated, “They are lying,” without offering any evidence for his assertions.

He maintained that ICE agents had entered the school without a warrant, allegedly abducting the teacher in front of children.

“This woman is a trusted and beloved member of the community,” he emphasized, noting that she had claimed to possess a work permit.

However, Quigley failed to mention the police chase that ended with the suspect entering the school and creating a dangerous situation for the children. Additionally, the vehicle was reportedly parked illegally outside the school, adding context to ICE’s actions.