Viral video’s ICE arrest did not happen in Kenilworth, but federal agents have been active in nearby suburbs

Social media rumors continue to swirl about federal immigration enforcement in the North Shore.

By and large, however, the rumors are unfounded.

A dramatic video posted Oct. 9 showing federal border agents apprehending a woman in a residential neighborhood gained traction on several social media platforms, including NextDoor, X and Reddit. The caption to the video — which was viewed millions of times — said the incident occurred in Kenilworth; however, that is not true.

A City of Waukegan spokesperson confirmed the video was taken of an immigration-related arrest this October in the 300 block of Glendunning Place in Waukegan, a community outside of The Record’s coverage area. There is a Glendenning Road in Kenilworth.

Also, multiple Instagram accounts with substantial followings suggested Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were active in Wilmette on Thursday, Oct. 9, and possibly targeting landscape professionals. The posts garnered thousands of reactions and tens of thousands of views.

Wilmette Village Manager Mike Braiman told The Record that village and police officials could not confirm any such reports, despite receiving calls about ICE activity in the community.

Braiman added that in cooperation with the state’s Trust Act, local law enforcement would not interfere or participate in federal immigration enforcement; however, he said, local police may respond to resident calls involving ICE activity to address any local concerns.

The unfounded reports involving Wilmette and Kenilworth occurred about a week after similar unfounded reports about ICE activity in Winnetka circulated social media.

Federal-agent operations, however, have been confirmed in nearby communities. On Sunday, Oct. 12, ICE agents took two people into custody at a Home Depot in Evanston, according to reporting from Evanston RoundTable.

The arrests disrupted youth soccer games at nearby James Park, the RoundTable reported.

Also over the weekend, ICE agents reportedly swarmed and aggressively detained a teenager in the northwest suburb Hoffman Estates, as depicted in a now-viral video and admonished by U.S. Rep. Raja Kirshnamoorthi.

In July, ICE agents reportedly took a Skokie resident into custody, according to Village of Skokie officials.

And immigration enforcement continues across the citywide on a nearly daily basis, with independent newsroom Block Club Chicago publishing daily reporting.

The North Shore Legal Aid Clinic has been regularly highlighting its “Know Your Rights” resources, which include information on remaining silent, contacting an attorney, and protecting against illegal search and seizure.

The local tension stems from President Donald Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration crackdown in Chicago announced on Sept. 8.

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