Kat Abughazaleh, a Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois, was tackled by ICE officers this week.
Agents said she interfered with their attempt to arrest suspected illegal immigrants.
The Confrontation
The incident took place outside an ICE processing center in Broadview.
Video shows Abughazaleh standing in front of a departing ICE vehicle.
Democrat congressional candidate @KatAbughazaleh attempted to physically block an ICE agent’s car from conducting a lawful operation, causing her to be tossed to the ground.
Impeding a federal ICE operation is a crime.pic.twitter.com/k9PEthUtBv
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 19, 2025
She wore jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt during the clash.
Officers ordered her to move but she refused to comply.
ICE agents then pushed her aside and onto the ground.
Crowds of protestors and reporters surrounded the scene at the time.
One ICE agent deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Abughazaleh’s Response
Abughazaleh posted the footage on X afterward.
She claimed ICE “violated our First Amendment rights.”
Kat Abughazaleh
Her allies described her as a victim of federal overreach.
But critics said she deliberately obstructed a lawful operation.
They pointed out that blocking ICE is a federal crime.
Abughazaleh has not been formally charged at this time.
The episode gave her new visibility in a crowded primary.
Legal Ramifications
Commenters cited 18 U.S.C. § 111 as relevant law.
That statute criminalizes interfering with federal officers.
Violations carry penalties of up to eight years in prison.
Critics urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute her.
“Make a legal example out of this criminal,” one user wrote.
Others warned such protests encourage lawlessness without consequences.
Supporters countered that ICE was suppressing peaceful protest.
Political Context
Abughazaleh is running in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District.
The seat is currently held by Rep. Janice Schakowsky, who is retiring.
She faces nine opponents in a hotly contested Democratic primary.
Campaign filings show she has $666,000 in cash on hand.
Her background includes work at Media Matters as a reporter.
Observers say the stunt may boost her name recognition.
The district is considered a safe Democratic seat.
Related Incidents
Abughazaleh is not the first Squad-aligned figure clashing with ICE.
Rep. LaMonica McIver of New Jersey was charged earlier this year.
LaMonica McIver
McIver was accused of assaulting an officer at a detention facility.
Her trial is scheduled to begin in November.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was also arrested during that protest.
His charges were dismissed days after his arrest.
