More than 40 community members gathered in Franklin Park on Sept. 15, 2025, to demand justice for Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, a 38-year-old Mexican national who was fatally shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Sept 12. The incident has sparked a wave of protest and renewed calls for transparency and accountability in federal immigration enforcement.
Chants of “Say his name! Silverio!” echoed through the quiet streets as demonstrators marched near the site of the shooting, weaving through Franklin Park with candles, signs, and a Mexican flag in hand. Families, including children, participated in the rally to honor Villegas Gonzalez and speak out against what they call excessive and unjust use of force by immigration agents.
Operation Midway Blitz and the Rise in Federal Raids
The shooting came just days after the Trump-era “Operation Midway Blitz” was revived in Chicago. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, the operation targets undocumented immigrants with criminal records. On the day of the shooting, at least 17 individuals were arrested across the region, and ICE agents were seen conducting operations in multiple suburbs.
Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official, announced his arrival in Chicago via social media, saying the mission was to make the city safer by targeting and arresting criminal illegal aliens.
Fatal Encounter Raises Alarming Questions
According to DHS, ICE agents attempted to stop Villegas Gonzalez on Sept. 12, 2025, to serve an arrest warrant. Officials claim he struck an agent with his vehicle and dragged him “a significant distance,” prompting another officer to fire his weapon in fear for his life.
An autopsy conducted by the Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide, citing multiple gunshot wounds.
Elected officials and advocacy groups are calling for immediate investigations into the shooting. U.S. Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia urged a full federal probe, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized ICE for its lack of transparency.
The FBI responded to the scene but has neither confirmed nor denied whether it has launched a formal investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not issued a public statement.
Use of Force Policy Under Scrutiny and Calling for Accountability
The shooting raises significant concerns about the use of force by federal agents against unarmed suspects. A DHS policy updated in 2023 emphasizes that agents should only use force when “no reasonably effective, safe and feasible alternative appears to exist.” The policy explicitly warns against firing at moving vehicles except in rare, justified scenarios.
In fiscal year 2023, ICE recorded 78 use-of-force incidents, including two fatalities. In 2022, the agency recorded 55 such events, four of them fatal.
Although a 2022 executive order from President Biden mandated improvements in data collection and body camera policies for federal law enforcement, ICE admitted in early 2024 that it lacks the resources to equip all agents with body-worn cameras. This shortfall further complicates efforts to verify what occurred during the incident.
Seeking Justice for Victims of Police Violence
The tragic death of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of excessive force and lack of accountability in law enforcement. At Police Brutality Center, we are committed to supporting victims of such violence and their families.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by police misconduct or excessive force, you are not alone. Contact Police Brutality Center for a confidential consultation with a legal team experienced in civil rights cases. Let us help you pursue justice and demand accountability.