Editor:
In the darkness of night on Sept. 30, 2025, approximately 300 federal agents, in full tactical gear and face coverings to prevent accountability, some even rappelling from Black Hawk helicopters, attacked a Chicago apartment building with 130 units.
Carrying fully automatic weapons, they threw flash bang grenades and chemical agents, breaking down doors, zip-tying residents, separating children from their parents, and detained residents, including some U.S. citizens, for hours.
They kicked down doors, emptied bookshelves and overturned mattresses. The operation was filmed for propaganda purposes showing residents terror-stricken and humiliated. They arrested 37 people.
Aid groups, lawyers and journalists are having a difficult time identifying and locating those taken by federal agents. Federal officials have not identified those arrested nor stated where they are, making it impossible to verify claims that those taken were immigrants with criminal records.
The New York Times reported that at least three people identified as being arrested in the raid had no criminal record. The Associated Press reported that “only two of the 37 immigrants arrested were gang members.” The Trump administration claims that they are arresting criminals including rapists, murderers and child predators.
But the government’s own evidence and the data demonstrate that isn’t the case. ICE’s own statistics show that 71.7% of those detained had no criminal records. The only logical explanation I can come up with is to terrorize citizens.
Thomas Jefferson stated: “When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” This administration wants us to fear the government. Furthermore, these actions violate the Constitution of the Unted States in several ways.
One of the ways these actions violate the Constitution is the Fourth Amendment. At no time did these agents present a warrant for their searches, seizures or arrest in clear violation of the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, homes, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” The Constitution is clear about this; even those in the country illegally have protection of the Fourth Amendment.
The Fourth Amendment grew out of resistance to King George III’s use of general warrants, called Writs of Assistance which allowed customs officials to search homes and shops for contraband and smuggled goods. General warrants were used by the King to go after his enemies, real or perceived.
In 1761 Boston merchants filed a lawsuit against these general warrants in a case called Paxton v Gray. James Otis, a prominent lawyer, was hired to represent the merchants. In attendance at the trial was John Adams, who took copious notes and recalls Mr. Otis’s fiery defense using the impossible to verify claims that those taken were immigrants with criminal records.
The new phase “A man’s home is his castle,” and “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” Years later, Mr. Adams recalled “American Independence was then and there born.”
While he lost the case, the freedoms he fought for were enshrined in the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment rights. The Trump administration with Republican enablers, are intentionally, deliberately and knowing violating our Constitutional rights. That is why we protest at no-kings rallies.
William Fine
Brockport
