Chicago, 11 October 2025 — When Silverio Villegas González failed to show up for his morning shift at Tom & Jerry’s Gyros, a modest diner on Chicago’s northwest side, his manager immediately sensed something was wrong. Known for his punctuality and quiet dedication, the 38-year-old cook had built a stable life over the past decade — raising two sons, working long hours, and staying out of trouble.
That life ended abruptly on September 12, when Villegas González was shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a vehicle stop in Franklin Park, a suburb west of Chicago. The Department of Homeland Security claimed he attempted to flee and dragged an officer with his car, prompting the use of lethal force. However, CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts have cast doubt on that narrative, showing agents pulling him from his vehicle and administering medical aid after the shooting Human Rights Watch Chicago Reader.
A Father, Not a Fugitive
Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Villegas González had sole custody of his two children and was described by neighbors as a “gentle soul” and “devoted dad.” He had no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations dating back over a decade Chicago Sun-Times.
“He worked hard to get his kids back,” said a friend at a vigil held days after the shooting. “He didn’t deserve this.”
Operation Midway Blitz and Rising Tensions
His death comes amid Operation Midway Blitz, a federal campaign targeting undocumented immigrants in sanctuary cities like Chicago. Since early September, ICE and Border Patrol agents have conducted military-style raids, arrested over 800 individuals, and drawn sharp criticism from local officials and human rights groups The Cut.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has since signed an executive order establishing “ICE-free zones,” barring federal agents from using city property for immigration enforcement without a warrant. Governor JB Pritzker and state lawmakers have called for a federal investigation into Villegas González’s death, citing concerns over excessive force and jurisdictional overreach Chicago Sun-Times.
Community Response and Legal Fallout
The incident has galvanized immigrant-rights advocates, who argue that ICE’s tactics are increasingly aggressive and legally questionable. Demonstrators have shut down intersections, held vigils, and launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Villegas González’s children and cover funeral costs.
Civil rights attorneys are preparing legal challenges, and the DHS Inspector General has been urged to open an independent inquiry.
Outlook
As federal immigration enforcement intensifies, Villegas González’s death serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind policy decisions. For many in Chicago’s immigrant communities, the question is no longer whether ICE will act — but how far it will go.
