Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that charges have been dropped against individuals who protested outside an immigration detention center in suburban Chicago.
Andrew Boutros, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, stated that conduct by prosecutors during the grand jury process led to the dismissal. A judge had questioned prosecutors about redactions in the grand jury transcripts.
Boutros expressed distress when he learned what transpired during the grand jury hearings. “No one acted with the intent to mislead your honor, and I think that they were following your order to give the law,” Boutros said in the hearing.
Christopher Parente, one of the attorneys for the protesters, informed prosecutors had been having conversations with grand jurors outside the courtroom regarding the case. A grand juror who dissented was removed from the proceedings, Parente stated.
Judge April Perry rebuked Boutros when he characterized the protesters’ behavior as “unacceptable in a civilized society.”
“You are significantly undercutting your mea culpa here by standing behind the charges and continuing to vilify these particular defendants,” Perry said.
The protests occurred outside an immigration detention center in suburban Chicago and often turned physical. Six individuals were indicted on charges of interfering with a federal agent and conspiring to interfere with an agent. One protester banged on a federal vehicle, blocked it, pushed against it, and damaged a side mirror and windshield wiper. Another person scratched “PIG” into a vehicle.
The trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection.
By Sam Barron | Thursday, 21 May 2026
