Illinois Dem candidate Kat Abughazaleh thrown to ground by ICE agent during protest

ILLINOIS, CHICAGO: A video of Illinois Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh being slammed to the ground by ICE officers during a protest outside a suburban Chicago detention center has ignited fierce debate online.

The former reporter and activist joined demonstrators blocking the facility’s driveway when tensions escalated.

The footage has fueled outrage among progressives who accuse ICE of using excessive force, while conservatives argue the protesters provoked the confrontation by interfering with law enforcement.

Dem candidate posts video of her being slammed by ICE

Kat Abughazaleh posted a video to her X account on Friday, September 19, showing the moment federal agents forcibly removed her during a protest outside an ICE facility.

“This is what it looks like when ICE violates our First Amendment rights,” she wrote alongside the footage.

In the video, armed and masked ICE officers are seen pulling Abughazaleh, also masked, away from the front of a government vehicle she appeared to be blocking. Agents can be heard instructing her and other protesters to clear the path.

One officer shoves Abughazaleh, who, while resisting, falls to the ground. A second angle captures her quickly getting back on her feet and moving toward the agents again, prompting another forceful push. Meanwhile, fellow protesters can be heard shouting expletives and taunting the officers.

In a follow-up post, Abughazaleh called the encounter “a violent abuse of power” and added, “It’s still nothing compared to what they’re doing to immigrant communities.”

Speaking with a reporter after the clash, she emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest, "We have no weapons. We have signs and chants and songs, and they are treating us like it's a war zone.”

According to Abughazaleh, the vehicle she was attempting to block was transporting another protester who had been arrested earlier that morning. “ICE came in and tried to drive the car through us,” she said. “They almost ran someone over. We did not move, we stood strong and that's when they brought out the pepper balls. That's when they brought out the tear gas.”

Who is Kat Abughazaleh?

Kat Abughazaleh, a former journalist, rose to national prominence during her tenure at Media Matters for America, where she became known for her sharp critiques of Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Her reporting has also been featured in outlets such as Mother Jones and The New Republic.

In March 2025, Abughazaleh launched her campaign for the US House of Representatives, aiming to represent Illinois’s 9th Congressional District.

Following the incident outside the ICE facility, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Abughazaleh of using the protest as a political stunt. Speaking to Fox News Digital, McLaughlin said, “This fame-hungry, cable TV candidate is so desperate for her 15 minutes of fame that she will go so far as to put our law enforcement at risk and obstruct justice.”

An ICE spokesperson also weighed in, dismissing the candidate’s actions as reckless. “Once an activist, always an activist,” the spokesperson said. “Kat Abughazaleh’s irresponsible behavior inciting violence and encouraging lawlessness puts a selfish publicity stunt over the safety of officers, facility employees and detainees.”

Kat Abughazaleh faces backlash online for blocking ICE agents

The viral video of Kat Abughazaleh being slammed to the ground sparked widespread debate, drawing both support and criticism.

One user wrote, "Kat Abughazaleh admittedly obstructed ICE agents. Hey @AGPamBondi , you need to arrest Kat now. Make a legal example out of this criminal."

An X user tweeted, "This is what happens when you block a road."

One more person slammed, "You should be charged with interfering with law enforcement."

Another user explained, "Seems to me you should have been arrested for breaking the law. You got lucky and deserved the handcuffs for interfering with federal law enforcement enforcing FEDERAL LAW. Why are you people all the same?"

A commenter said, "This is dangerous for the agents. All of these loons should be rounded up and jailed."

Someone else shared, "What did you expect? you stand in front of a moving vehicle you ARE going to get hit. They need to bring out the beanbag guns and."

A user wrote, "Protest from the sidewalk as they drive by & you will not get thrown to the ground. No one has a right to impede the police from doing their jobs."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.