PRESS STATEMENT: CAIR-Chicago Joins the Calls for a Probe Into Killing of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez in Franklin Park & Condemns ICE Staging at Hines VA Hospital
Photo by Paul Goyette
(CHICAGO, IL, 9/26/2025) - The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the fatal shooting of 38-year-old father of three, Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a traffic stop in Franklin Park, IL on September 12, 2025.
Initial statements from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed the officer was severely injured during the incident. However, newly released Franklin Park Police Department body camera footage contradicts that narrative. In the video, the ICE agent described his injuries as “nothing major,” raising serious concerns about the accuracy and intent of the government’s original account.
The shooting took place in a densely populated area, recklessly endangering lives and deepening community mistrust of ICE’s operations. President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum has demanded a full investigation, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have called for accountability. Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García has further urged the release of all video related to the killing.
CAIR-Chicago also denounces ICE’s use of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital parking lot as a staging area for enforcement actions under “Operation Midway Blitz” launched by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Patients and veterans have reported feeling intimidated and unsafe as a facility meant for healing is transformed into a base of operations for immigration raids.
“Racial profiling, which was greenlit by the Supreme Court’s decision, I will repeat, is a form of hate and a form of bigotry.” said Jordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator, CAIR-Chicago at a recent press conference with community advocates to demand no ICE presence at Hines VA Hospital
The murder of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez is not an isolated event. It is part of a larger militarized federal campaign preying on hard-working, ordinary people, and it represents a dangerous encroachment on personal freedom. The federal government has transgressed the bounds of its power by using immigration enforcement agencies to target sanctuary cities in perpetuity.
CAIR-Chicago joins elected officials and community advocates in demanding:
A full and independent investigation into the killing of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez and justice for his family.
An immediate end to ICE’s use of healthcare facilities, including Hines VA Hospital, as staging grounds for its terror network that disrupts patient visits.
Accountability from DHS and ICE for misleading the public with inaccurate and inflammatory statements.
TAKE ACTION: Victims of discrimination or hate incidents can contact CAIR-Chicago for assistance at (312) 212-1520. File a report and access immigration resources at www.cairchicago.org/protectingyourrights
CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance
CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com | Jordan Esparza-Kelley, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 224-627-1032, j-EsparzaKelley@cair.com