Press Conference Comes on Heels of Video Showing Armed, Masked Agents Raiding Local Daycare, Forcefully Detaining Child Care Worker

Advocates Demanded Accountability, Called on Local Companies to End Contracts That Support ICE Activity

CHICAGO — A coalition of child care workers with SEIU Healthcare Illinois (HCII), representatives from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), and impacted parents joined Senator Graciela Guzmán, State Representative Lilian Jiménez and Commissioner Jessica Vasquez Thursday to speak out against shocking arrest and detention of a local child care worker at Rayito De Sol daycare in Chicago.

The incident at Rayito De Sol has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from community members and leaders, and highlights the dangers child care workers—and by extension children and parents—are facing. Advocates and workers called for an end to the escalating aggression by ICE agents that is endangering children, families, and working people across the city.

A parent at Rayito De Sol daycare spoke to what the experience was like, as her children watched as masked and armed agents forcefully removed their child’s caregiver in front of their eyes.

“I’m fearing for the safety of our teachers, our children, and our community, it felt like something out of a horror movie. This raid is absurd, obscene, and insulting,” said Maria Guzman, a parent at Rayito De Sol.

“The trauma of that moment didn’t end when those agents left. The fear lingers in every classroom, in every hallway, in every child who saw someone they loved and trusted taken away,” said Brynn Seibert, Vice President for Child Care, SEIU Healthcare IL. 

Participants were gathered outside Reliance Relocation Services (RELO Direct) in downtown Chicago, a real estate company that has profited massively from federal contracts and received $7.3 million to relocate ICE employees ahead of “Operation Midway Blitz.” As part of their call to action, advocates demanded that RELO Direct end its contract and stop profiting from ICE’s cruelty. 

“My classroom is supposed to be a sanctuary for the toddlers I care for,” said Alice Dryden, a teacher at Mary Crane Center and SEIU Healthcare Illinois member. “Our message to RELO Direct is clear: if you care about Chicago’s families, stop working with ICE. Every dollar funding these raids should go to early education and wages for care workers, not fear and trauma.”

Dr. Erma Jackson, a home child care provider in Humboldt Park, described how fear has gripped her neighborhood. “I’ve been caring for children and families for 23 years. What happened at Rayito De Sol was like nothing I have ever seen before—it shook me to the point of anger. Parents are too afraid to let their children play outside because ICE could rip their families apart in an instant. These raids are plaguing our neighborhoods with fear.”

Speakers and elected officials called for immediate accountability for what they described as an “act of cruelty and intimidation,” and demanded that tax dollars be used to support working families and children, not to fund terror and family separation. 

“Rather than using our federal tax dollars to lift communities up, President Trump and Republicans are using them to tear communities down,” said Commissioner Jessica Vasquez. “We should be investing in early education, in fair pay for child care workers, in affordable care for families – not in raids that sow fear and cause lasting harm. Public money should reflect our values. It’s time to invest in care, not cruelty.”

“You can no longer be a child in peace while authoritarian hands play out in Chicago,” said Senator Graciela Guzman of Illinois’ 20th District. “We deserve services and a workforce, a care system that parents can trust to take care of their children. I am asking for accountability from anyone taking money at the expense of our people in Chicago or anywhere.”

“No child should ever witness violence in a place meant for learning and care, and no caregiver should live in fear of being taken,” said Rep. Lilian Jiménez. “The inhumane treatment of our communities must be stopped, and Illinois must draw a line. This legislation I sponsored, HB1312, now prevents ICE from entering higher education and childcare centers—but unfortunately, it came too late for Rayito De Sol.” 

Despite the horrors of Wednesday’s raid, the coalition reiterated their commitment to protecting one another and standing together in the face of evil. 

“ICE resistance is working,” said Artemio Arreola, Director of Community Relations for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). “Remember we have our rights, and we have to stand up and protect [our communities].”

SEIU HCII President Greg Kelley speaking at a press conference on Nov. 6, 2025

“To target and terrify children, families, and care providers is unconscionable,” said Greg Kelley, president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, at a press conference held by Rep. Mike Quigley on Wednesday.

“No parent should be afraid to send their child to school, and no worker should live in fear that they could be next. Anyone with a conscience should be deeply worried about the trauma this will cause for years to come.”

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