Franklin Park, Illinois – An undocumented immigrant, identified as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on Friday, September 12, 2025, in Franklin Park, a suburb of Chicago. The incident occurred during a targeted law enforcement operation when Villegas-Gonzalez allegedly resisted arrest, attempting to drive his vehicle into the ICE team and severely injuring an officer. The officer, whose name has not been released, is currently in stable condition after being dragged by the vehicle.
According to statements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE, officers were conducting a vehicle stop to apprehend Villegas-Gonzalez when he refused commands and drove his car at the law enforcement personnel. One officer was struck and dragged a significant distance, prompting another officer to discharge their firearm "fearing for his life." Villegas-Gonzalez, a 38-year-old Mexican national, was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The shooting has ignited controversy and comes amid an ongoing ICE enforcement campaign in the Chicago area dubbed "Operation Midway Blitz." Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker stated on social media that he is "aware of the troubling incident" and that "the people of Illinois deserve a full, factual accounting of what’s happened today to ensure transparency and accountability." Immigrant rights advocates and local officials, including U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia, have called for a thorough investigation.
The Mexican Consulate General in Chicago confirmed Villegas-Gonzalez's identity and has requested information from ICE regarding the events leading to the fatal shooting, offering assistance to his family. This incident highlights heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the region, with some critics suggesting ICE's aggressive tactics are "bringing more fear into the communities." DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the officer's actions, stating he "followed his training, used appropriate force and properly enforced the law."