Broadview ICE facility fence taken down within hour of deadline
The fence surrounding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in west suburban Broadview was removed overnight, within an hour of the deadline.
A judge ordered that the riot fence must come down by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
"The law, including municipal law, applies even to the federal government," Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said in a news release. "This is a victory for the rule of law in a country that is still a democracy. And it is a victory for Broadview residents and businesses who depend on their municipal government to assure public safety."
In a news release, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security complained about having to take down the fence.
"Now, because of an activist judge, DHS is being forced to take down a fence outside the facility that was put up to protect law enforcement and detainees," the department said in the news release.
The fence was erected Sept. 23 outside the ICE facility on Beach Street in Broadview. For weeks, it has been a symbol of tension between federal authorities, protesters, and the Village of Broadview itself.
Last month, hours after the fencing went up at the facility, a letter went out from the Broadview Fire Department to Homeland Security saying, in part, it was "built, without a permit, a fence on a public street under the jurisdiction of the village of Broadview ... currently blocking Broadview Fire Department access to that road."
New barriers went up on Monday, and they are drawing criticism too.
Illinois Department of Transportation crews installed new concrete barriers outside facility, adding another layer to what many already call a "fortress."
Mayor Thompson said the barriers are meant to keep protesters safe and protect residents when demonstrations spill into the street.