The Waukegan Police Department is defending its officers after they were seen interacting with federal immigration agents while tensions flared with local residents in Waukegan on Friday.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said around 12:45 p.m. Friday that there was an active presence of federal immigration agents in Waukegan.
“Everyone, know your rights and stay calm. If you see activity involving federal agents or need assistance, contact the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)’s support hotline: (855) 435-7693. Be safe, Waukegan,” Cunningham said.
Some residents were angry with the mayor and said that his own police department was assisting the federal agents.
“Why is Waukegan PD supporting them?” one person said on social media. Video showed one officer shaking hands with one of the agents.
Another person asked, “How can anyone stay calm?” in response to Cunningham’s statement and added that Waukegan is “full of drones at night, helicopter over the city, masked men not identifying themselves, arrests are happening without warrants, and court rulings are not being enforced.”
The Waukegan Police Department issued a statement Friday evening saying they understand that the presence of federal immigration agents has caused fear and anger in our community and they “want to remind everyone to be safe.”
“Our top priority is to protect the people of Waukegan. To clear any confusion caused by videos on social media of officers with the Waukegan Police Department interacting with federal immigration agents, our officers respond to the scene to keep and maintain order, and, above all, keep everyone safe,” the department said.
The statement said the police department is not cooperating with federal immigration agents.
Police officials cited the Illinois TRUST Act, which prohibits local police in the state from participating or assisting in federal immigration enforcement.
“We will continue to stand with our community and ensure that local law enforcement focuses on protecting people, not enforcing federal immigration laws,” the statement said.
Earlier in the day, U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was spotted with other U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Exxon gas station at Glen Rock Avenue and Belvidere Road in Waukegan.
Bovino purchased drinks at the gas station before walking outside and playing rock-paper-scissors with another agent.
A bystander said, “This is not a joke,” as Bovino, who was smiling and laughing, and the other agent played the game.
A video captured the sound of motorists blaring their horns in the area to warn others about the immigration agents’ presence as bystanders yelled at the convoy of agents.
Another video taken on Friday captured Bovino and another agent again playing rock, paper, scissors as they appeared to be staging at the BP gas station at Greenwood Avenue and Sheridan Road in Waukegan.
The U.S. Border Patrol agents were first spotted in the Waukegan area around 10 a.m. Friday.
Videos from residents showed multiple SUVs and vans in their convoy driving around the Waukegan area, including on the north and south sides of the city.
The agents were spotted near Glen Flora Elementary School, the Home Depot and in downtown Waukegan, among other places. Agents were also on foot in an alley near Clayton Street and Genesee Street.
A witness reported two arrests were made by the agents at Cribb Fine Foods, 626 Franklin Street in Waukegan.
Bovino is a high-ranking official with the U.S. Border Patrol. He is the commander tasked with leading the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown in the Chicago area.
Bovino recently appeared in federal court amid a lawsuit against the Trump administration, leading to a judge issuing a temporary restraining order prohibiting agents from using tear gas and other riot control weapons against those who do not pose an immediate threat.