Ranking Member Lauren Underwood Demands Answers from ICE and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Alleged ICE Activity in Joliet Last Week
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, wrote to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons after receiving no response to previous inquiries regarding alleged ICE activity in Joliet, Illinois last week.
Multiple witnesses report that on Wednesday, July 9th, an unmarked black truck taking part in alleged ICE enforcement actions rammed a civilian vehicle in a high-traffic public area, trapping it near a youth center, high school, and minor league baseball stadium. Witnesses report that four individuals in military-style fatigues then allegedly exited the vehicle and pointed automatic weapons at the vehicle’s occupants, removing one of them and telling him he would “be removed on the 22nd.”
“If true,” Underwood wrote, “these allegations are a flagrant violation of law enforcement’s responsibility to prioritize community safety, minimize potential risks to civilians and officers involved in operations, and operate with extreme care and sensitivity for child welfare. The reckless use of vehicle assault and weapons of war on our streets – especially in areas near schools and youth centers where these actions pose heightened risks to children – is completely unacceptable.”
People who need help with federal agencies like ICE and DHS are always encouraged to contact Rep. Underwood’s office for free assistance at (630) 549-2190 or https://underwood.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency.
Full text of the letter can be found here and below.
July 17, 2025
The Honorable Todd Lyons
Acting Director
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th Street SW
Washington D.C. 20536
Dear Acting Director Lyons,
I write to urgently request a detailed briefing regarding reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement action last week in Joliet, Illinois that allegedly put the community’s safety at risk. My office reached out to your office via email and phone last week immediately after hearing these reports but has not received any response from ICE despite repeated follow-ups.
Multiple witnesses report that on Wednesday, July 9th, an unmarked black extended cab truck taking part in ICE enforcement actions allegedly rammed the rear of a civilian vehicle and forcibly trapped it near the intersection of Cass and Arch Street in Joliet. This location is adjacent to a youth center, a high school, and a minor league baseball stadium, and is considered a high-traffic public area.
Witnesses further report that four individuals, reportedly dressed in military-style fatigues with black bulletproof vests labeled “Police,” allegedly exited the vehicle and pointed what were described as automatic weapons at the vehicle’s occupants. Witnesses then report seeing one man being removed from the vehicle that was rammed and detained. We have since been informed that the individual was told he would be “removed on the 22nd.”
These allegations, if true, are egregious. They appear to be a flagrant violation of law enforcement’s responsibility to prioritize community safety, minimize potential risks to civilians and officers involved in operations, and operate with extreme care and sensitivity for child welfare. The reckless use of vehicle assault and weapons of war on our streets – especially in areas near schools and youth centers where these actions pose heightened risks to children – is completely unacceptable.
Given the nature, location, and urgency of these allegations, I request a comprehensive briefing from you or senior leadership on your team on this incident no later than July 20, 2025. Please contact my office at 202-570-2381 or il14.scheduling@mail.house.gov as soon as possible to schedule this. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and I look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
Lauren Underwood
Member of Congress
CC: The Honorable Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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