In a striking scene caught on video, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was seen forcibly removing Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois’ 9th District, after she attempted to block an official ICE vehicle during a protest.
The incident unfolded Friday outside ICE’s Broadview processing center in Chicago during an anti-ICE demonstration, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. In footage posted to the social media platform X, Abughazaleh appears to step in front of the vehicle before an ICE agent intervenes, grabbing her and tossing her several feet to the ground.
Reporter Ali Bradley of NewsNation noted that earlier in the day Abughazaleh had also staged a sit-in at the facility’s exit, attempting to prevent vehicles from leaving.
The confrontation quickly drew attention online, with the video circulating widely. Readers can watch the incident below.
This is what it looks like when ICE violates our First Amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/EneI3BAkPF
— Kat Abughazaleh (@KatAbughazaleh) September 19, 2025
Warning: The following videos contain strong language that some readers may find offensive.
“This is what it looks like when ICE violates our First Amendment rights,” the 26-year-old progressive candidate wrote.
Warning: The following videos contain strong language that some readers may find offensive.
Fortunately for the record, X users were quick to respond to Abughazaleh’s post, pointing out that her interpretation of the First Amendment was misguided and offering clarifications on what the constitutional protection of free speech actually entails.
