CHICAGO (WLS) — Just within a two-block span, some homes on Bernard Street are preparing for thousands of trick-or-treaters.
Some neighbors have put up signs, alerting trick-or-treaters that their home is a “safe house” and that they are welcome there. This comes as there were several reports of immigration activity on the city’s Northwest Side on Friday.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
“What we have been doing since yesterday and today and is, we are going outside during dismissal and handing out the candy,” said 30th Ward Ald. Ruth Cruz.
With the help of volunteers and staff, Cruz organized a candy drive. They made roughly 10,000 goodie bags to give to children for Halloween, as the city continues to see ramped-up immigration enforcement. Some parents fear taking their children out trick-or-treating.
“We want to make sure our kids have a happy Halloween in spite of everything that’s going on,” Cruz said.
On Thursday, Gov. JB Pritzker had called on federal agencies to pause immigration enforcement over Halloween weekend, but Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called his request “shameful.” Noem said immigration enforcement will not be paused during Halloween weekend. On Friday, that was evident.
Cellphone video captured a man being taken away by federal agents near Waveland and Kimball in Irving Park on Friday morning. The man was put in the back of a truck, and then, agents drove away.
Over at Sawyer and Lawrence in Albany Park, a chaotic scene played out.
Surveillance video from a neighboring business shows agents arriving. A crowd then gathered as two people were detained.
Cellphone video shows agents telling people they were assaulted. Video also shows agents attempting to pull someone out of a vehicle.
SEE ALSO | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates
Olivia Dunn says her neighbor was among the people detained.
“We could see that they were detaining someone and throwing them down on the ground. It happens to be our friend,” Dunn said. “They warned us that there would be tear gas, and then, they deployed pepper bullets.”
The incident took place a short distance from the office of 33rd Ward Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, who came out to see what happened. At one point, agents were seen pushing the alderwoman.
“I think they decided to come with a vengeance, because they were asked to slow it down so the kids could have a joyful time. They decided to escalate it,” Rodriguez-Sanchez said.
ABC7 reached out to Customs and Border Patrol for comment but did not immediately hear back.
For anyone trick or treating on Bernard Street in Logan Square, remember that some of the streets will be temporarily closed on Friday night so people can trick-or-treat.
Federal agents have also arrested multiple people in Evanston on Friday.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.