How we captured the photo of federal immigration agents pointing a crowd control weapon at a protester
This past week underscored even more dangerous and taxing situations for Chicagoans, reporters and our photo staff.
On Chicago’s Southeast Side Tuesday, Sun-Times visual journalist Anthony Vazquez found himself documenting chaos as a crowd of onlookers and protesters endured smoke grenades, pepper balls and at least three rounds of tear gas fired by Customs and Border Patrol agents after they intentionally crashed into a car they chased in a residential neighborhood.
As feds have used more frequent and intense forms of crowd control in recent weeks, our photographers have had to approach each day with new caution.
“I dress for what might happen that day,” he said, understanding that at any moment he might have to throw on protective gear or a vest.
“ I am wearing glasses,” he said. “I can’t wear contacts because of tear gas.”
Vazquez’s photo, now seen across the country, has drawn the attention of state leaders and federal judges questioning enforcement tactics. “Seeing it up close is different,” Vazquez said, “seeing kind of the fear in the protesters’ eyes.”
Our photographers will continue to document these stories and more as they unfold. We couldn’t be prouder of their work. Here are 18 more photos from the Sun-Times.
Technical details:
Equipment: Canon R5
Focal length: 24mm
Aperture: f3.2
Exposure: 1/250
ISO: 200
Illinois State Police Lt. Colonel Jason Bradley denies Fr. Dan Hartnett’s request to deliver Holy Communion to the people detained in the ICE processing facility in suburban Broadview, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Runners jog by the Chicago Theater in The Loop during the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Nobel Laureate Joel Mokyr speaks at a Northwestern University press conference celebrating his 2025 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences award, Monday Oct. 13, 2025.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Adrianne and Scott Burgher hold their sons outside Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue during a ceremony commemorating the 20 Israeli hostages released recently by Hamas, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
People ride the Ancona Jewelers float during the Columbus Day Parade on State Street in the Loop, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Sara Lee, artistic director of the Irene Taylor Trust, comforts Racquel Perry, a mother who lost her son to gun violence, as she sobs after performing a spoken word portion of a song commemorating her son “A King Lives On” at Lost Boy Sound located in the West Loop, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Groups of people who attended the service for Sister Jean walk by the Madonna Della Strada Chapel within Loyola University, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Construction crews being disassembling a fence built on Beach Street outside the Broadview ICE processing facility in suburban Broadview, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Ben Bergquam, a Christian conservative host of Frontline America, attempts to antagonize some protesters while livestreaming outside Broadview ICE processing facility in suburban Broadview, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A mural by artist Melanie Posner can be seen on the side of a building located at 10 W. Chestnut St. in the Rush & Division neighborhood, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A small group of protesters continue to rally on the corner of 25th Avenue and Harvard Street after Cook County Sheriff’s police officers attempted to disperse protesters near the Broadview ICE processing facility, in suburban Broadview, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Residents and area rapid responders walk around the neighborhood on lookout after federal law enforcement detained a man and deployed crowd dispersant munitions in the 3200 block of West Wilson Avenue in the Albany Park neighborhood, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A few dozen protesters rally in the approved protest zone on Beach Street outside the Broadview ICE processing facility in suburban Broadview, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Allison Rozsa Evans stands in front of a client’s home that she decorated with pumpkins, in River Forest, on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times
A working vintage cash register that is stored in the back of Hopleaf, at 5148 N. Clark St., on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025.
Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times
A Customs and Border Protection agent throws a tear gas canister at protesters at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in East Side, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Protesters gathered as federal agents awaited the removal of its vehicle after it crashed during a pursuit.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A lowrider with an “ofrenda” or altar to honor loved ones who have passed is decorated with images of Chucky, the fictional horror movie character, at Navy Pier, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Parade-goers enjoy the Columbus Day Parade on State Street in the Loop, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
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