CHICAGO (WLS) — The U.S. Secret Service told the I-Team they approached a South Side school Friday, investigating a threat and responding to a house. They were then told the person they wanted to talk to was at Hamline Elementary School, but they did not enter the school.
The alleged threat was not immediately clear. Chicago Public Schools officials initially said the agents were from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but the Secret Service said they were investigating a threat and did not enter the school.
CPS officials shared an update in a statement Friday evening, saying the agents showed ID that included the name Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE and the Secret Service. The school’s response was handled with the federal agents leaving the campus without entry.
The situation happened amid fears of a nationwide mass deportation effort. According to the 2025 Illinois Report Card, Hamline Elementary’s student population is 92% Latino.
The school principal initially claimed at least one ICE agent arrived at the school about 11:15 a.m. The principal said they followed protocols, and did not allow the agent or agents inside. The school did go on a soft lockdown, and all students and staff were safe.
CPS officials emphasized that schools are safe, and will not allow ICE agents inside without a valid judicial warrant. Chicago police said they were not notified of the alleged incident.
Many parents were on edge, with concerns about the incident. The incident comes amid heightened concerns in the city’s immigrant communities after the Trump administration announced that it will pursue targets for deportation at schools and churches.
CPS rapid response teams, along with several community groups, descended on the neighborhood. “We are united, and schools are a sanctuary of learning,” said attorney Berto Aguayo, with Increase the Peace Chicago.
