Joint statement from Aurora Rapid Response Team and Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Saturday, Oct. 25, Aurora experienced an escalation of ICE and CBP activity, putting everyone in our city in danger. It is clear that ICE is an unaccountable, rogue agency that exists only to harm our communities and separate families. Since the start of September ICE and CBP have escalated their attacks on Illinois, and Aurora has been no exception. Many community members have taken action to demand an immediate end to the raids, but ICE remains unresponsive and in fact continues to further escalate its attacks.
October 25, Aurora Rapid Response Team members witnessed or verified:
Aurora RRT verified that two U.S. citizens abducted by ICE, one of whom was pepper sprayed, assaulted by agents, and forced to leave behind their child who was present in their car. The child is now with their father.
More than 20 ICE agents were present outside Rush Copley Hospital, increasing tension with the community members who had gathered to support those who were abducted earlier in the day.
ICE agents assaulting two Aurora RRT members in the Rush Copley Hospital parking lot, as community members gathered to document ICE’s attack on Aurora. Agents also used their vehicles recklessly, threatening the safety of bystanders in the area.
Aurora RRT members witnessed apparent local police and ICE collaboration outside Rush Copley Hospital.
The Aurora RRT supported these abducted community members by being present at Rush Copley Hospital and connecting with their families. Because everyday community members took action, no further abductions in the Aurora area have been confirmed as of 10 p.m. Saturday, and the two U.S. citizen community members have been released. We know that organized and educated communities are safer communities, and today in Aurora is an example of how we can keep each other safe.
Aurora is the second largest city in Illinois, and the attacks by ICE on our communities are not an anomaly this year. We experienced an escalation October 9, and the Aurora Rapid Response Team has responded to ongoing, heightened immigration enforcement in the area since the beginning of 2025. As part of the ICIRR statewide network of Rapid Response Teams, Aurora RRT is part of the collective, statewide effort to stop the raids and ensure Illinois families have the resources they need to protect their loved ones.
We encourage all community members to get involved with the organized response to ICE raids, and to know your rights. You can sign up for a know-your-rights and migra watch training with ICIRR at bit.ly/ICIRRKYR, and email the Aurora Rapid Response Team for more information at aurorailrrt@proton.me.
Remember: You have the right to record law enforcement activity in a public space, the right to remain silent, the right to ask for an attorney, and the right to refuse to sign anything. If you see immigration enforcement activity in your neighborhood or if someone in your family has been taken, please call the ICIRR Family Support Hotline at 855-435-7693 to connect with community resources or to make sure the information gets to Rapid Response Teams for verification. Together we continue to demand ICE out of Chicago, out of Aurora, and out of Illinois.
—Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights