In a shocking and frightening event early Wednesday morning, immigration officers chased a teacher into a private preschool in Chicago, causing panic among parents, children, and staff. Several parents witnessed and recorded on video the incident at Rayito de Sol, a Spanish immersion day care and preschool.
Local officials, witnesses, and video footage show that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents chased the teacher into the preschool grounds. Parents waiting to drop off their children around 7 a.m. saw armed officers in black vests labeled “POLICE ICE” pursuing the woman into the lobby of the preschool. Many thought the school was under attack. Some parents and staff ran for cover in classrooms and vehicles, fearing for their safety.
During the arrest, the teacher yelled, “Tengo papeles!” which means, “I have papers!” Despite her protest, officers dragged her outside in front of children and parents. The teacher’s identity has not been released, and the circumstances surrounding her detention remain unclear.
The Incident at the Chicago Preschool: What Happened
Witnesses said the teacher was initially riding as a passenger in a sedan when ICE agents followed her in a dark SUV. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the driver of her car did not stop when officers activated sirens and emergency lights. The vehicle then sped into a nearby shopping plaza, where both the teacher and driver fled and ran into the preschool, attempting to barricade themselves inside.
DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin claimed the teacher was detained in a “vestibule,” the area just inside the outer doors of the preschool. However, parents and staff say officers entered further into the building, going through the lobby and even walking into classrooms after the arrest. Video footage from the scene shows agents moving inside the preschool while adults and children were present.
Chicago Alderman Matt Martin, whose district includes the preschool, expressed serious concern. “If they can do this at a day care where children are, where will they not go?” he said. The school’s staff showed officers the teacher’s work documents, including a valid work permit, but she was still detained.
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Fear and Confusion at Rayito de Sol Preschool
The arrest left parents, teachers, and children in a state of shock. Tara Goodarzi, an attorney whose child attends the preschool, described the teacher as a “wonderful person, a mother, and a valued member of the Rayito community.” She said she could not believe why ICE agents targeted the teacher.
One teacher hid in a colleague’s car with a 3-year-old student for more than 30 minutes after hearing the commotion. Another parent, Jennifer Bradley, called the scene “barbaric,” saying it was “ridiculous and really heartbreaking that ICE agents took the teacher away.” She criticized the agents’ actions, emphasizing that they acted without concern for safety or crime and caused an unnecessarily traumatic situation.
In a note to parents, Rayito de Sol’s leadership stated that ICE agents detained the teacher when she arrived at work and entered the facility despite signs showing it was a private business. They also said the agents did not present any judicial warrant.
Several elected officials condemned the actions. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois) called the arrest a “violation of public trust” and said no child should ever feel terrorized at preschool. Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-Illinois) said she is working with the day care to release surveillance footage, which she claims contradicts DHS’s statements, showing agents entering multiple classrooms and questioning other teachers.
School Environment and Community Impact
Rayito de Sol preschool serves children from 4 months to 6 years old and is located in a relatively affluent Chicago neighborhood. The preschool has 14 classrooms staffed by highly qualified teachers from Central and South America. Parents describe the environment as warm, familial, and highly interactive, with teachers knowing every child’s name and families actively participating in school events.
Leaders of the preschool previously reassured parents that all staff members hold valid work documents and undergo criminal background checks to ensure safety and compliance. The school hoped these measures would prevent any ICE enforcement actions at the centers, but Wednesday’s incident shattered that expectation.
Parents described the morning as chaotic, with crying children and adults alike. Tara Goodarzi said she walked into a room filled with crying kids, parents, and teachers, calling it “traumatizing.” The emotional impact of the arrest is clear, with many expressing fear about the safety of children and staff in the preschool environment.
This incident is among the first reported cases under the current administration where ICE officers entered preschool grounds to make an arrest, a practice previously limited under past policies that considered schools as “sensitive locations.” While DHS stated that they do not intend to target schools for raids, this event has raised widespread concern among parents, educators, and local officials.