Tensions and clashes continued Friday between protesters and ICE agents outside the federal immigration detention facility in Broadview in Chicago's western suburbs.

A small group of protesters rallied outside the ICE facility throughout the day on Friday.

Friday morning, protesters placed signs on the large fence installed outside the facility, and agents removed them. Federal agents deployed pepper balls, tear gas, and rubber bullets several times at 50 to 75 protesters standing outside the facility, despite the fencing. 

CBS News Chicago crews saw one protester who touched the fence get hit with pepper balls fired by an agent. 

Broadview officials are demanding that the agency remove the fence because it went up without a permit and is blocking first responders.  

A protester told CBS News Chicago she did not expect the escalation to be so fast. 

"I didn't even come prepared with anything, even a mask," Mary Gearing said. "Just standing here with signs peacefully, to be fired at with pepper spray is just like unconscionable, I can't even believe this is happening." 

Evanston, Illinois, Mayor Daniel Biss returned to the Broadview facility to join protesters on Friday. He was pushed to the group and impacted by tear gas at last week's protest. 

"I'm fine, but the tragedy is that the people who are held at the center are not fine, their families are not fine so we have to continue speaking up," Biss said. 

Meantime, a second group of protesters gathered on 25th Avenue where ICE agents are moving in and out of the facility with detainees. 

This comes a week after a heated exchange outside the facility that led to multiple arrests. Federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls, while community members insisted they were protesting peacefully.

Protesters said they will not be deterred by "excessive force" from federal agents.

Army veteran Victor Sarmiento, who served in Afghanistan, said he was filming agents on the roof, when they shot his phone with a pepper ball.

Sarmiento said he's been watching the protests outside the Broadview facility on the news, and felt compelled to come out on Friday.

"The Army has taught me, when you see something wrong, you speak up. You not only defend yourself, but you defend others," he said. "I put my life on the line for this country, you know? But coming back, it's sad that this is happening here at home. They're dressed up in combat gear. It's not needed here. Combat gear is needed in Afghanistan, Iraq, or where else the military sends us. So it's sad that they're out here terrorizing people."

Sarmiento said the protests outside the ICE facility in Broadview makes him inspired there's hope for the country and for humanity.

"It helps me feel that there is a purpose, and now I know why I came back. There's a purpose, there's a calling, and that's why I asked other veterans to please rise up against this tyranny," he said.

Federal authorities detained at least two people on Friday. According to the Department of Homeland Security, since September 19, a total of 17 people have been arrested for protesting in Broadview.

ICE has called the protesters rioters and accused them of throwing rocks, fireworks, and slashing tires.

One of the people arrested on Friday had a gun that was confiscated by ICE, federal officials said. Colleagues identified him as Elias Cepeda.

"Elias is a community leader in Pilsen," said Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th).

Sigcho-Lopez said he personally knows Cepeda, including for his work with the nonprofit group Pilsen Defense & Access.

"Helping our children go to school, delivering groceries; I can attest, because it's someone that I personally know," he said.

Cepeda's colleagues said he was outside the facility to try to deescalate tensions when he was detained. They also said he has a concealed carry license, and consistently carries a firearm with him for self-defense. He also works in private security.

"He's like a gentle giant," said his mother, Leila Mendez.

She hopes Cepeda is freed soon to continue his work.

"You just keep doing, keep fighting for the people, keep protecting, doing all you can humanly possibly do," she said.

Cepeda's colleagues said he will not face federal charges, and is expected to be released soon.

Friday evening, supporters of ICE got in tense verbal altercations with protesters. 

"I'm not anti-immigrant, I'm anti-crime, and that's why I'm here supporting these guys, because I think they're getting a bad rap by the governor and they're getting a bad rap by [Chicago Mayor] Brandon Johnson," Edward Anthony said.

Meantime, protesters tried to block off 25th Avenue near Harvard Street, just outside the ICE facility. Broadview police were able to clear the scene without incident.

Some protesters later tried to block an ICE vehicle leaving the facility's parking lot, but were pushed back by federal agents.