Zoë Takaki
@zoetakaki.bsky.social
Freelance journalist based in Chicago. Read my stuff here https://zoetakakiworks.wordpress.com
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Every hour that this is allowed to continue, we remain on the verge of yet another death.
ICE is now ramming civilian cars through red lights in Minnesota. — they are tax payer agitators ‼️
January 13, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Every hour that this is allowed to continue, we remain on the verge of yet another death.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
New: Illinois & Chicago filed a federal lawsuit today against DHS, ICE, Border Patrol, and associated figures like Kristi Noem & Greg Bovino.
The 103-page complaint says the Trump admin, via armed federal agents, is attempting "to coerce Illinois and Chicago to do its bidding through brute force."
The 103-page complaint says the Trump admin, via armed federal agents, is attempting "to coerce Illinois and Chicago to do its bidding through brute force."
![INTRODUCTION
1.
The Trump administration has unleashed an organized bombardment on the State
of Illinois and the City of Chicago, causing turmoil and imposing a climate of fear. Though
Defendants describe this assault as “immigration enforcement,” the reality is that uniformed,
military-trained personnel, carrying semi-automatic firearms and military-grade weaponry, have
rampaged for months through Chicago and surrounding areas, lawlessly stopping, interrogating,
and arresting residents, and attacking them with chemical weapons.
2.
The perpetrators include federal agents under the leadership of United States Border
Patrol, an arm of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”). At the direction of Defendants
Kristi Noem and Gregory Bovino, a force created, trained, and equipped to defend the United
States border against smuggling and trafficking has unleashed sweeping raids and indiscriminate
violence against Illinois’ residents, particularly those living in Chicago. Their leaders condone this
activity and demand more of it.
3.
The occupation of Illinois and Chicago is intended to coerce Plaintiffs to abandon
their policies, which value and respect the State’s immigrants, and devote their resources to further
the immigration policies of the current administration. Illinois and Chicago have refused to do so.
4.
The U.S. Constitution stands as a bulwark against Defendants’ onslaught against
Illinois and Chicago. The Tenth Amendment preserves Illinois’s sovereignty. That sovereignty “is
not just an end in itself: Rather, federalism secures to citizens the liberties that derive from the
diffusion of sovereign power.” Nat’l Fed’n of Indep. Bus. v. Sebelius, 567 U.S. 519, 536 (2012).
“[F]ederalism protects the liberty of the individual from arbitrary power.” Bond v. United States,
564 U.S. 211, 222 (2011).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7422wlmkminudypjv6cywlzl/bafkreih37hksvwdtwjf2adokhtrmpitezzusegkxj3s255srvqrrptuutu@jpeg)
![6.
Following orders to “push the envelope,” Border Patrol, and Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents placed under Border Patrol’s command, have acted as
occupiers rather than officers of the law—randomly and brutally stopping and questioning
residents, separating parents from their children, detaining without warrant or probable cause
citizens and non-citizens alike, and using tear gas and other chemical weapons in urban
environments against unsuspecting bystanders, injuring dozens including children, the elderly and
local police officers.
7.
This has left many Illinois and Chicago residents, regardless of immigration status,
frightened to avail themselves of public services, or even venture outside to engage in normal daily
activity.
8.
Under the pretext of enforcing federal immigration law, the federal government is
attacking Illinois and Chicago’s ability to carry out their core sovereign functions—to regulate
public health, establish and implement a system of education for Illinois residents, defend the
state’s economy, provide public safety and administer a judicial system, enforce state statutes,
implement state programs, and ensure that Illinois residents receive the full benefits of state and
federal law. Defendants’ conduct has hindered the improvement and prosperity of Illinois and
Chicago and offended the core notion of dual sovereignty. This “[i]mpermissible interference with
state sovereignty is not within the enumerated powers of the National Government.” Bond, 564
U.S. at 225.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7422wlmkminudypjv6cywlzl/bafkreicsuml4abplqbjb4ihsbpqm24rcugzgefgetp6o3ic45gn7ewyvga@jpeg)
![Defendants’ misconduct is ongoing, and they have stated that they do not intend to
desist. As Defendant Bovino stated on December 30, 2025: “If you think we’re done with Chicago,
you’d better check yourself before you wreck yourself.” Bovino added, “Don’t call it a comeback;
we’re gonna be here [in Chicago] for years.” Bovino’s post included a video montage of
immigration officers chasing, tackling, and arresting people.
10.
The federal government’s menacing, violent, and unlawful incursion impedes
Illinois and Chicago from carrying out core sovereign functions in violation of the Tenth
Amendment.
11.
It also violates the Administrative Procedure Act many times over. Each of the
actions that accompanied Border Patrol’s incursion exceeds Defendants’ statutory authority and is
arbitrary and capricious, including:
Sending armed agents to roam the streets and question those they
encounter about their citizenship;
Capturing and retaining the biometric data of people they encounter
without consent;
Arresting without a warrant or probable cause;
Deploying tear gas in dense neighborhood among residents going about
their daily lives;
Initiating enforcement actions at courthouses, schools, medical facilities,
and other sensitive locations to intimidate those who seek public services;
Hiding their identities and avoiding accountability by concealing and
swapping vehicle identification; and
Trespassing on property belonging to the residents of Illinois and its
government.
12.
Illinois and Chicago seek to vindicate their sovereign authority to govern, grow,
and maintain public order and stability against an unchecked federal government seeking to coerce
Illinois and Chicago to do its bidding through brute force.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7422wlmkminudypjv6cywlzl/bafkreiabldcvgjwj6gg4cllloadgdmehptnrj77szrmhcz7lalhzkzdvgq@jpeg)
January 12, 2026 at 8:21 PM
New: Illinois & Chicago filed a federal lawsuit today against DHS, ICE, Border Patrol, and associated figures like Kristi Noem & Greg Bovino.
The 103-page complaint says the Trump admin, via armed federal agents, is attempting "to coerce Illinois and Chicago to do its bidding through brute force."
The 103-page complaint says the Trump admin, via armed federal agents, is attempting "to coerce Illinois and Chicago to do its bidding through brute force."
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
FYI: Judge Ellis (Chicago ICE case) noted in November that video evidence shows ICE "brake-checked other motorists in an attempt to force accidents that agents could then use as justifications for deploying force."
January 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
FYI: Judge Ellis (Chicago ICE case) noted in November that video evidence shows ICE "brake-checked other motorists in an attempt to force accidents that agents could then use as justifications for deploying force."
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
We still do not know the names of the ICE agents who killed Silverio Villegas González on September 12, 2025 outside of Chicago.
If you have any information, please reach out on Signal at @tpf.99.
If you have any information, please reach out on Signal at @tpf.99.
January 11, 2026 at 6:19 PM
We still do not know the names of the ICE agents who killed Silverio Villegas González on September 12, 2025 outside of Chicago.
If you have any information, please reach out on Signal at @tpf.99.
If you have any information, please reach out on Signal at @tpf.99.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
NOW: Crowd continues to grow in Minneapolis at a vigil where a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good this morning.
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
January 7, 2026 at 11:22 PM
NOW: Crowd continues to grow in Minneapolis at a vigil where a federal agent shot and killed Renee Good this morning.
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
“SAY HER NAME!”
“RENEE GOOD!”
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
fuck the huffington post
here you go
here you go
January 7, 2026 at 9:40 PM
fuck the huffington post
here you go
here you go
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Note: agents on scene here insist they have their own medics. None are seen attending to the victim.
They did this in Chicago, too—allegedly had assigned medics traveling with certain teams.
One of them we identified (Timothy Donahue) also pointed his gun at civilians.
They did this in Chicago, too—allegedly had assigned medics traveling with certain teams.
One of them we identified (Timothy Donahue) also pointed his gun at civilians.
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Note: agents on scene here insist they have their own medics. None are seen attending to the victim.
They did this in Chicago, too—allegedly had assigned medics traveling with certain teams.
One of them we identified (Timothy Donahue) also pointed his gun at civilians.
They did this in Chicago, too—allegedly had assigned medics traveling with certain teams.
One of them we identified (Timothy Donahue) also pointed his gun at civilians.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Tbh I think a lot of the drama over the last month with these Broadview zoning amendments could have been avoided if the village had just put out a presser explaining what this attorney did at the meeting tonight.
A lawyer for the village also explained the Supremacy Clause would likely override any attempt by Broadview to prohibit federal detention/processing centers in the village outright.
These amendments, she said, at least give the village some control over the location / operation of such facilities.
These amendments, she said, at least give the village some control over the location / operation of such facilities.
January 6, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Tbh I think a lot of the drama over the last month with these Broadview zoning amendments could have been avoided if the village had just put out a presser explaining what this attorney did at the meeting tonight.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
it is hard to follow. Is this good (disallowing "processing centers") or bad (allowing it)?
January 6, 2026 at 1:21 AM
it is hard to follow. Is this good (disallowing "processing centers") or bad (allowing it)?
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Andres rolled into this protest on very little sleep after staying up all night checking on family in Caracas. We command you to support his work by giving a follow on Instagram/let's get him to 1k: instagram.com/andresachavez
Chicago yesterday—
In the wake of an attack on Venezuela that killed at least 80 people and resulted in President Maduro abducted by American forces, anti-war orgs gathered in the cold for an emergency protest against U.S. intervention.
📸: Andres Alejandro Chavez & Raven Geary
In the wake of an attack on Venezuela that killed at least 80 people and resulted in President Maduro abducted by American forces, anti-war orgs gathered in the cold for an emergency protest against U.S. intervention.
📸: Andres Alejandro Chavez & Raven Geary
January 5, 2026 at 4:15 AM
Andres rolled into this protest on very little sleep after staying up all night checking on family in Caracas. We command you to support his work by giving a follow on Instagram/let's get him to 1k: instagram.com/andresachavez
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
New: the village board of Broadview, IL, per the agenda for its meeting tomorrow night, plans to approve zoning amendments that establish regulations for "prisons/detention centers, processing centers, and similar facilities."
The village zoning board voted against similar amendments last month.
The village zoning board voted against similar amendments last month.
January 4, 2026 at 6:47 PM
New: the village board of Broadview, IL, per the agenda for its meeting tomorrow night, plans to approve zoning amendments that establish regulations for "prisons/detention centers, processing centers, and similar facilities."
The village zoning board voted against similar amendments last month.
The village zoning board voted against similar amendments last month.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Tomorrow is the last day of this holiday toy drive for Chicago families impacted by ICE. 41 of the 60 kids who were registered have had a present purchased.
Organizers are hoping every child and family can receive a gift. Let's help them reach their goal!
Venmo: KHPWtoydrive
Organizers are hoping every child and family can receive a gift. Let's help them reach their goal!
Venmo: KHPWtoydrive
December 20, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Tomorrow is the last day of this holiday toy drive for Chicago families impacted by ICE. 41 of the 60 kids who were registered have had a present purchased.
Organizers are hoping every child and family can receive a gift. Let's help them reach their goal!
Venmo: KHPWtoydrive
Organizers are hoping every child and family can receive a gift. Let's help them reach their goal!
Venmo: KHPWtoydrive
Why does every tv show have an episode where they sneak an old person out of a nursing home
November 28, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Why does every tv show have an episode where they sneak an old person out of a nursing home
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Freelance photojournalist @davedeckerphoto.bsky.social was arrested while reporting on an immigration protest outside an ICE facility in Miami on Nov. 22.
He was held in custody for 30-plus hours and released with charges of trespassing and resisting an officer.
He was held in custody for 30-plus hours and released with charges of trespassing and resisting an officer.
Photojournalist arrested at Miami immigration protest, gear seized
Freelance photojournalist Dave Decker was arrested by Miami-Dade Sheriff’s deputies while documenting anti-deportation protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement …
pressfreedomtracker.us
November 24, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Freelance photojournalist @davedeckerphoto.bsky.social was arrested while reporting on an immigration protest outside an ICE facility in Miami on Nov. 22.
He was held in custody for 30-plus hours and released with charges of trespassing and resisting an officer.
He was held in custody for 30-plus hours and released with charges of trespassing and resisting an officer.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
This New Orleans operation is going to closely resemble what we just went through in Chicago.
November 18, 2025 at 11:27 PM
This New Orleans operation is going to closely resemble what we just went through in Chicago.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
ICYMI, @govpritzker.illinois.gov in October claimed state, county and local police at Broadview were working "to protect people’s ability to peacefully exercise their constitutional rights."
In the month since those same police have arrested about 80 protestors at Broadview.
In the month since those same police have arrested about 80 protestors at Broadview.
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
ICYMI, @govpritzker.illinois.gov in October claimed state, county and local police at Broadview were working "to protect people’s ability to peacefully exercise their constitutional rights."
In the month since those same police have arrested about 80 protestors at Broadview.
In the month since those same police have arrested about 80 protestors at Broadview.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Points out that agents keep arresting people and then letting them go without charges because they have no actual evidence
November 6, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Points out that agents keep arresting people and then letting them go without charges because they have no actual evidence
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
The DOJ accuses Martinez of assulting/impeding a federal agent on Oct. 4, even after an agent shot her.
An exhibit filed yesterday shows text messages discussing media coverage of the case.
"I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys."
An exhibit filed yesterday shows text messages discussing media coverage of the case.
"I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys."
November 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The DOJ accuses Martinez of assulting/impeding a federal agent on Oct. 4, even after an agent shot her.
An exhibit filed yesterday shows text messages discussing media coverage of the case.
"I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys."
An exhibit filed yesterday shows text messages discussing media coverage of the case.
"I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys."
Just left the Chicago Headline Club v. Noem preliminary injunction hearing. My thoughts as an observer…
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Just left the Chicago Headline Club v. Noem preliminary injunction hearing. My thoughts as an observer…
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Mayor Katrina Thompson and a few of the village trustees are visibly laughing as a resident gives public comment about village corruption allegations including those leveraged at the mayor.
November 4, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Mayor Katrina Thompson and a few of the village trustees are visibly laughing as a resident gives public comment about village corruption allegations including those leveraged at the mayor.
Protestors ask for the badge number of an officer who was taken off the line for hitting them with a baton. His superiors ignored requests for his badge number.
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
November 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Protestors ask for the badge number of an officer who was taken off the line for hitting them with a baton. His superiors ignored requests for his badge number.
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
Cook County Sherrif Officer takes off his body camera before moving in on protestors, and only puts it back on after being told to by protestors
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
November 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Cook County Sherrif Officer takes off his body camera before moving in on protestors, and only puts it back on after being told to by protestors
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
Nov. 1st, Broadview at 6:25 pm
Gregory Bovino giving signals to ICE agents before leaving the courthouse today.
October 28, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Gregory Bovino giving signals to ICE agents before leaving the courthouse today.
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Extremely normal behavior
Bovino places tear gas on the dash board as he leaves, a small detail and perhaps symbolizing a threat that the gassings will continue
October 28, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Extremely normal behavior
Reposted by Zoë Takaki
Note: before all these fortifications were added, this was how close we (and more importantly—attorneys, family, advocates etc) could get to the detention center ~1 month ago.
Now it's a fortress even without the fence across Beach. 24/7 surveillance from local police. Curfew. Free speech pen.
Now it's a fortress even without the fence across Beach. 24/7 surveillance from local police. Curfew. Free speech pen.
October 25, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Note: before all these fortifications were added, this was how close we (and more importantly—attorneys, family, advocates etc) could get to the detention center ~1 month ago.
Now it's a fortress even without the fence across Beach. 24/7 surveillance from local police. Curfew. Free speech pen.
Now it's a fortress even without the fence across Beach. 24/7 surveillance from local police. Curfew. Free speech pen.