US Secret Service approached South Side school, not ICE agents, CPS officials say​on January 25, 2025 at 9:58 am

CHICAGO (WLS) — The U.S. Secret Service told the I-Team they approached a South Side school Friday. Chicago Public Schools officials had initially said the agent or agents were from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Secret Service said they were investigating a threat, and responded to a house. They said they were then told the person they wanted to talk to was at Hamline Elementary School, but they did not enter the school, the Secret Service told the I-Team.

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The alleged threat the Secret Service was investigating was not immediately clear.

CPS officials had claimed at least one ICE agent was denied entry to the South Side elementary school Friday morning.

ICE said this was not a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement encounter.

It was an apparent about-face for federal authorities as Secret Service arrived at Hamline amid fears of a nationwide mass deportation effort. According to the 2025 Illinois Report Card, Hamline Elementary’s student population is 92% Latino.

The Hamline Elementary School principal had claimed at least one ICE agent arrived at the Back of the Yards school about 11:15 a.m. The principal said they followed protocols, and did not allow the agent or agents inside.

“We will not open our doors for ICE, and we are here to protect our children and make sure they have access to an excellent education,” principal Natasha Ortega said.

The school did go on a soft lockdown. All students and staff are safe, officials said.

“CPS will continue to protect our students and their families in alignment with the Illinois TRUST Act and Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance,” one school official said.

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Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates called the situation “unprecedented” at a news conference Friday afternoon.

CPS and CTU officials claim ICE agents were denied entry to a school Friday.

CPS and CTU officials emphasized that schools are safe.

CPS does not ask for citizenship status, and will not allow ICE agents inside without a valid judicial warrant.

Chicago police said they were not notified of the alleged incident.

Friday afternoon, many people are on edge. Despite the apparent confusion, parents picking up their kids at dismissal had overwhelming concerns.

“It’s horrible, bizarre,” neighborhood resident Ava Chavez said. “I wouldn’t imagine just having me as I was a child.”

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.

Gloria Marquez has two children at the school, and said she was texted about the incident by another parent, who was working as a classroom aide at the school.

“Did not give me any details, all she said was ‘I was trying to come in to do my job, and it wouldn’t open.’ So, I guess what happened, she said, ‘the kids are in soft lockdown; immigration is outside,'” Marquez said.

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.