Seven Detained in Elgin ICE Raid, Two U.S. Citizens Later Released

Seven people were detained in an early morning immigration raid carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Elgin, Illinois. Among those detained were two U.S. citizens, who were later released.

Details of the Raid

The raid occurred around 5:50 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at a home located at 904 Chippewa Drive in Elgin. A video shared on social media showed several individuals being escorted away in handcuffs by armed agents in military-style uniforms. Tactical vehicles, helicopters, and drones were seen circling the neighborhood, with witnesses reporting loud noises and spotlights over the area.

According to a contractor, both the front and back doors of the house were damaged during the raid. Neighbors described the operation as unusual for their normally quiet community.

DHS Confirms Details

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that Customs and Border Protection executed a felony arrest warrant at the property. The warrant resulted in the arrest of the target as well as four undocumented immigrants found at the home.

A DHS spokesperson confirmed that no U.S. citizen was arrested. The two citizens detained were held briefly for safety reasons while the operation was underway and were later released after providing proof of citizenship.

Political and Community Reactions

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shared footage of the raid online, linking it to alleged crimes such as DUI, felony stalking, and assault, though it was not confirmed whether those charges applied to the detainees.

Illinois State Senator Cristina Castro criticized Noem’s involvement, saying the community felt anger and fear due to the ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz.” Meanwhile, immigrant rights group Casa DuPage reported that they were unable to reach the family before they were taken into custody.

Ongoing Operations in Chicago Area

Law enforcement sources said the raid was part of larger coordinated actions involving ICE, CBP, the FBI, and U.S. Marshals in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. These operations are expected to continue for several weeks.