At least 6 detained in Elgin during Saturday morning ICE sting

Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune on Sep 20, 2025

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CHICAGO — At least a half a dozen people were detained in a sting by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday morning after two vehicles were pulled over during immigration stops in Elgin.

The first vehicle, a red sedan, was cornered by immigration officials Saturday morning near Liberty and Hastings streets, where it was stopped. The second vehicle, a white van carrying the Luis Hardwood Flooring business logo, was pulled over near a school administration building in Elgin.

Owner Luis Valdez, 42, was taken into custody while returning from work, his 18-year-old daughter, Jazmine, shared during a phone interview. Her father phoned her about three blocks from their Elgin home, and his daughters ran to the scene in pajamas.

“My father came to Elgin 25 years ago to make a better future for us,” she said. “He’s a good man.”

The daughter said the family was concerned when they heard about President Donald Trump’s plans for immigration stings, but now it has happened.

Her sister, Jaquelin, was busy on the phone trying to locate their father, helping their 43-year-old mother.

“It’s a cold world right now.” Jazmine said. “My sister is figuring out what we can do.”

The detainments were the latest example of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in the Chicago area, which has appeared to escalate throughout the past week.

The Muniz family was keeping safe by limiting their time in public. Elena Muniz, who is part of a watch group that monitors immigration movement in Elgin, has been helping warn those endangered of being rounded up. One man was arrested at a gas station pumping gas, Muniz said.

“They are barricading people after scouting them out,” Muniz said. “I try to be present to record. I warn people don’t say anything or sign documents.”

Muniz said the immigration arrests were becoming aggressive, even rehashing instances when agents laughed during arrest. “People are scared to leave their homes. I had to take a mother’s child to school because she was afraid.”

One light in the darkness, Muniz said, is the showing of support in the Elgin community. “People are showing up to help.”

Officials with ICE could not be immediately reached for comment.

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