DHS: Suspect arrested by ICE at daycare fled there after car chase

Illinois Democrat Reps. Mike Quigley and Chuy Garcia misrepresented facts when they posted video of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest and claimed the agency “kidnapped a teacher,” says the Trump administration.

“Congressman, you are deliberately misrepresenting the facts,” the Department of Homeland Security – which includes ICE – posted on X above Quigley’s comment. “ICE law enforcement did not target a daycare and were only at this location because the female illegal alien fled inside.” 

The agency then explained how officers had attempted to pull over the woman described as an illegal alien from Colombia, but the male driver of her vehicle refused to stop. That led to a chase, which ended when the car stopped in a shopping plaza and the man and woman “ran into a daycare and attempted to barricade themselves inside – recklessly endangering the children inside.” 

The woman was arrested in the vestibule – not the school – and proceeded to lie to the officers about her identity. She also denied knowing the man who was driving the car  registered in her name, claiming she had just picked him up at a bus stop. 

DHS said more details about the man would be forthcoming. 

Quigley said Wednesday evening at a press conference the woman “had legal documentation,” and posted that “ICE isn’t going after the worst of the worst.” Quigley has repeatedly posted about ICE’s whereabouts, urging people to “stay safe. Protect your neighbors,” and has called for a congressional investigation into ICE’s tactics. 

But DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Wednesday that work papers – which were issued under the Biden administration after the woman in question illegally entered the country – do not confer status to remain here. McLaughlin also clarified that while the woman was arrested in the vestibule, her male passenger barricaded himself inside the daycare’s doors. 

DHS has taken to social media to respond to other criticisms, including accusations it released tear gas on children, something it called “fake news.” 

In an unrelated post, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem celebrated 1.6 million self-deportations Thursday, part of the Trump administration’s efforts to deport millions of illegal aliens, many who arrived during the Biden administration.