Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has reaffirmed the authenticity of a viral video showing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents violently detaining individuals in Hoffman Estates, Illinois – confirming the incident occurred within his district – and sharply criticized the Trump Administration for what he called a “campaign of secrecy, brutality, and misinformation” surrounding its ongoing immigration raids.

In a statement issued by his office, Congressman Krishnamoorthi said he and his staff are continuing to gather details about the incident and renewed his call for transparency and congressional oversight after the Administration’s latest move to block access to an ICE facility in Illinois.

“My team and I continue to gather information about the exact details of what happened in Hoffman Estates on Friday – but there is no doubt that the video is real and that it happened here, in my district, on a street I have walked myself,” Krishnamoorthi said. “What that footage appears to show – a child being slammed to the ground by an ICE agent – is indefensible.”

According to the Congressman’s office, the Hoffman Estates Police Department confirmed that ICE agents were present in the department’s parking lot the same day and issued a statement acknowledging videos circulating about the events. However, instead of providing clarity, a senior official at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allegedly spread misinformation online, claiming the footage was from an unrelated incident more than a year ago in Chicago.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi condemned what he described as a “disturbing pattern” of deception by ICE and DHS, asserting that the agencies have “denied the public transparency or accountability while actively spreading politically motivated disinformation.”

He added that the events in Hoffman Estates exemplify “everything that’s wrong with the Trump Administration’s militarized ICE raids: cruelty without accountability, secrecy without oversight, and power without restraint.”

“That must end – and I will continue working in Congress to demand the transparency, oversight, and justice the American people deserve,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Congressman Krishnamoorthi visited the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, to conduct congressional oversight of reported detentions, including minors. His office said he was once again denied entry by the Trump Administration.

“I demanded access to the Broadview ICE facility to perform oversight – as is my right and my duty as a Member of Congress,” Krishnamoorthi stated. “Once again, the Trump Administration slammed the door on transparency and accountability. Congress and the American people have every right to see what’s happening behind those walls.”

The denial follows a similar incident in June, when Krishnamoorthi and Congressman Jonathan Jackson were turned away from an ICE site in Chicago’s South Loop while attempting to inspect conditions and obtain information about detainees.

Krishnamoorthi emphasized that the Administration’s repeated obstruction of lawful oversight undermines accountability at a time when federal enforcement actions have intensified under Operation Midway Blitz, the Trump Administration’s mass-deportation campaign targeting Democratic-led cities.

In September, he called on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding ICE operations and alleged abuses.

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