A U.S. Citizen has been released after she was forcefully detained by Border Patrol agents outside of the Waukegan City Hall, leading to the Waukegan mayor intervening Monday afternoon.
U.S. Border Patrol conducted a traffic stop on a Kia SUV driven by a woman on West Street north of Washington Street in Waukegan around 1 p.m. Monday.
Agents were seen yelling at the female driver to get out of the car before forcefully removing her and arresting her.
In a video, a bystander could be heard asking the agents where the warrant was for her arrest.
“We don’t need a warrant… f–k off,” one of them responded. The agents also said that it did not matter what her citizenship was and alleged that she was impeding an investigation.
Additional video published on social media showed that the same Kia SUV performed a U-turn and got behind an ICE vehicle, leading to a brief confrontation near the Dunkin’ Donuts, moments prior to her arrest on West Street.
“They’re illegally arresting me. I did nothing wrong,” the woman said moments before an agent shoved her into the backseat of a black Ford Expedition.
The woman, who said she is 23 years old, asked bystanders to call her father to let him know she was being detained.
The incident happened directly behind the Waukegan City Hall and Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham approached the scene two minutes after the arrest.
Cunningham told the detained woman that he would arrange for someone to pick up her car.
“Sir, we need you to back up. This is an active law enforcement scene,” an agent said.
“I understand that, sir. I am going to do that, sir,” Cunningham said. Another agent stepped in and said, “He’s the mayor.”
Lake County Board Member Esiah Campos was also at the scene and said, “They’re destroying the city, mayor.”
Campos said the woman’s father confirmed she is an American citizen. “They are targeting us for being Hispanic. I’m seeing it with my own eyes!” he said.
Cunningham also stepped in to calm a female bystander down at the scene. “Just stay on the sidewalk. I don’t want you getting into any trouble,” the mayor said.
The woman, identified as Dariana Fajardo, was later released. She said she is a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico.
Fajardo appeared at the Waukegan City Council hours after her release on Monday evening and attendees applauded her as she began speaking during audience time.
“I was just fighting for what I think is right. I was kidnapped, per se. Trapped in my car and then they yanked me out of my car,” she said.
Fajardo said she is a proud daughter of immigrants and proud of her roots.
“I am okay. I am fine. I am at home,” she said, adding that she wants the attention to be taken off her and instead put toward something that matters. “Go out there and do your thing because there is power in numbers.”
Fajardo also thanked Cunningham for stepping in during her arrest and others who called her family.