Feds grab at least two landscapers on the job in Wilmette

Federal immigration agents apprehended at least two individuals in Wilmette on Friday, according to witnesses accounts and videos reviewed by The Record.

The Village of Wilmette also said in an email that it had confirmed the federal law-enforcement activity and on social media shared local resources and related village policies.

The activity took place in the 2300 block of Thornwood Avenue, near Thornwood Park, in the late morning Friday, Nov. 7. Videos taken at the scene show at least five federal agents traveling in at least two vehicles stopping to confront employees of a local landscaping company.

Two of the employees were handcuffed and placed in one of the federal vehicles, a dark-colored Chevy Tahoe.

It is unclear why the agents apprehended the individuals. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to The Record’s questions. The Record also was unsuccessful in its attempt to contact the landscaping company.

Other local resident accounts say agents apprehended at least one other individual in Wilmette on Friday; however, The Record could not confirm those reports by press time.

While the Thornwood incident occurred near Harper Elementary School, the school day was not disrupted, according to District 39 officials.

Four high schoolers — who are juveniles and The Record agreed not to publish their full names — were driving in the area when they noticed the federal agents, dressed in fatigues and facemasks. They began recording.

One of the teenagers, Nora, told The Record that the agents pulled two individuals from a work truck and one of them was “aggressively yanked” out of the truck. Nora said that man was “clearly distraught.”

“Watching this evoked tears from myself and many of those surrounding me in protest,” she said. “Watching this happen has easily been the most horrific thing I’ve witnessed in my life.

She added, “All of us were so shocked and horrified. We will never forget the look on that … man’s face when he was shoved into the car.”

The teens were joined by several residents of the neighborhood, Kenilworth Gardens, a quiet pocket in north-central Wilmette.

In videos, the neighbors can be heard shouting a variety of phrases at the agents, including “Get out of here,” “You guys suck,” and “How do you live with yourselves?”

Angelica Turner, who said at least two of the agents were Spanish speakers, can be heard yelling in English and Spanish for the agents to show their faces.

She said when she heard commotion on her block Friday morning, she ran outside to check it out. She was soon overwhelmed with anger.

“It’s so upsetting, all the anger I feel,” she said. “… I feel it’s very cruel. I can’t stop thinking about the two persons that aren’t going back to their families today. These are working people, clearly not criminals. I see that (landscaping) truck every week. It’s pathetic. It’s not Christian; it’s evil.”

The Wilmette Village Board will on Wednesday, Nov. 12, consider policy changes to respond to local immigration enforcement.

In a statement on Friday, the Village said, “The Village Board shares the concern, frustration, and uncertainty this activity is causing for many of our community members, especially in regard to the safety and stability of our immigrant neighbors.”

Stay tuned to TheRecordNorthShore.org as this story develops.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.