Fear and fury at ICE facility protest

Deployment of hundreds of troops in Chicago area raises the temperature further, writes Michael Mathes

- Michael Mathes

A woman chants slogans in front of law enforcement officers as hundreds of protesters gather near an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, on Oct 3.

The language was foul, the rage abundant: Thursday's scene outside an ICE facility near Chicago reflected the anguish gripping some Americans as their government unfurls its crackdown on immigrants.

The Midwestern city of 2.7 million, the country’s third largest, has become a key target in President Donald Trump's campaign pledge to carry out the largest deportation in US history.

Tensions have boiled over recently as demonstrators clash with authorities near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in the Illinois town of Broadview.

And Mr Trump's deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops in the Chicago area — purportedly to protect ICE agents and buildings — has raised the temperature further.

On Thursday, roughly two dozen people hurled insults at those soldiers and the immigration staff.