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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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A United States citizen was briefly detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Waukegan, Illinois, on Monday, prompting Mayor Sam Cunningham to intervene.
The incident, captured on video, occurred as the 23-year-old woman, Dariana Fajardo, was outside Waukegan City Hall.
The Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek that during a U.S. Border Patrol operation near City Hall, a U.S. citizen used her vehicle to block law enforcement officers.
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"Officers arrested her for impeding federal law enforcement, agents found her in possession with a firearm," DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said.
“This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction," McLaughlin added.
Why It Matters
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as the Border Patrol, have faced increased scrutiny amid the administration's push to remove millions of migrants without legal status as part of President Donald Trump's hard-line mass deportation policy.
Waukegan is roughly 36 miles from Chicago, where the Trump administration has deployed hundreds of National Guard soldiers, a move it argues is necessary to combat crime. On Monday, Trump posted on X that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker "should be in jail" for failing to protect federal officers amid clashes between protesters and ICE agents in Broadview.
What To Know
Fajardo called for the mayor during the encounter. She told CBS News Chicago that she felt targeted because of the Mexican flag on her car.
Cunningham told Newsweek that he helped move her car to prevent it from being towed and attempted to calm the situation.
"I was on my way to a meeting, and I came upon federal agents detaining a Dariana Fajardo right outside the Waukegan City Hall," Cunningham said. "Soon after seeing me, Ms. Fajardo yelled my name several times, asking for assistance. I approached the scene to help de-escalate tensions and ensure that she knew that I would help her however I could.
"I asked for her vehicle keys to make sure that her vehicle could be secured until her family could pick it up. This was the least I could do," he said. "My presence was not to interfere with any ongoing federal operations but to prevent further escalation that could harm my community."
Cunningham told CBS News Chicago that the city is monitoring broader discussions about ICE-free zones in Chicago and is seeking to ensure legal clarity before issuing guidance to residents.
"Waukegan is a diverse community made strong by the people who call it home," he told Newsweek. "No one should feel unsafe simply for being in their own city. While immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, the fear it creates is landing at the doorsteps of local government."
Fajardo has since been released from custody. She told CBS News Chicago that she was not charged but was informed that could change.
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What People Are Saying
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham told Newsweek: "As a Black mayor, I want to be clear: What is happening in our community is not just a Latino issue; it is our issue. When families live in fear and when businesses close their doors, we all lose. We must stand together as one community and care for one another, no matter where we come from or what we look like. My administration will continue to work closely with immigration rights organizations. I remain committed to standing with my community."
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek: "Over the past several days, we’ve seen an increase in assaults and deliberate vehicle rammings targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily—without pay during the Democrats’ shutdown—and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement. The violence must end.”
What Happens Next
The incident remains under review as local and federal officials assess appropriate next steps and determine whether further action is warranted.
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