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Dear Reader,

In September, federal agents raided a Chicago apartment complex and took dozens of immigrants under the cover of darkness.

You probably saw videos of the nighttime raid — some 300 agents rappelling from a helicopter, breaking down doors, hurling flash-bang grenades and arresting 37 immigrants, most of them Venezuelans, who authorities say were in the country illegally. The scene was filmed by a NewsNation camera crew that accompanied agents.

Agents scrawled the Venezuelans’ apartment numbers on their arms, bare chests and foreheads with black marker. Then they marched the detainees outside, lined them against a wall and questioned them. There were mothers with half-naked children — some were barefoot, others only wore diapers. Agents also zip-tied and, for several hours, detained many U.S. citizens.

Officials claimed the building was “filled” with Tren de Aragua gangsters and called the raid a victory against terrorism.

We investigated <[link removed]> and found little evidence to support the government’s claims.

ProPublica’s reporting debunked the idea that the apartment complex had been taken over by terrorists.

Immigration officials said, without evidence, that two of the 37 people they arrested were members of Tren de Aragua. ProPublica talked with one and found no criminal records in his past.

We also found no criminal convictions for 18 of the 21 arrested Venezuelans we were able to identify.

We have no information regarding the other 16 individuals detained in the raid because officials have declined to release any names or say whether children were included in that count.

Federal prosecutors have not filed criminal charges against anyone who was arrested.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a detailed list of questions regarding the raid, but it said in a statement that the operation was “performed in full compliance of the law.” In interviews with ProPublica, eight current and former law enforcement officials, including veterans of SWAT teams, expressed concern about some of the methods used in the raid.

When government announcements (and promotional videos) make big claims that leave citizens wondering what really happened, independent journalism becomes essential. Reporters sift through records, piece together timelines and talk to the people involved so the public can see the full picture — not just the version offered in a statement. This work is a pillar of a healthy democracy because it brings facts into the open. And when the truth is clear, real change can follow: policies shift, harmful practices get exposed, people are cleared, lives are improved. Supporters make it possible for us to do this kind of careful, documented reporting.

You can help strengthen this impact by joining us today. Any amount makes you a ProPublican, and every gift fuels reporting that holds up under scrutiny. When thousands of people pitch in, it adds up quickly — and it keeps investigative journalism strong. Donate now, and you’ll help ensure we can keep doing this work when it’s needed most.

Thanks so much,

Jill Shepherd <[link removed]>

Proud ProPublican <[link removed]>

Donate to ProPublica <[link removed]> 

 

 
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