A 21-year-old Chicago man has been indicted on federal charges after allegedly ramming his SUV into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent’s vehicle during an enforcement operation on the city’s Southwest Side in October.
Diego Emmanuel Reyes faces charges of assaulting, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon. The indictment alleges that on October 4, 2025, Reyes intentionally struck the rear of the agent’s vehicle and continued accelerating, pushing the truck forward.
The enhanced charge tied to use of a dangerous weapon carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison if Reyes is convicted. The incident occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration enforcement initiative in Chicago.
What Prosecutors Say
Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, called the alleged attack “a dangerous and brazen act of violence against a federal agent as well as an attack on the rule of law.” He stated, “Federal agents perform risky, essential work every single day to enforce our federal laws and keep our communities safe.”
Boutros added that his office “will never tolerate such conduct and will continue to hold accountable those who seek to assault, impede, intimidate, or interfere with lawful federal operations.” He praised federal prosecutors and FBI personnel involved in advancing the case through the grand jury process.
Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, stated, “The Chicago Field Office has zero tolerance for anyone impeding federal officers engaged in their lawful functions.” He said the FBI remains committed to using all available resources against those who undermine the rule of law.
Chicago’s Immigration Enforcement Tensions
The alleged vehicle attack reflects escalating tensions over immigration enforcement in Chicago, a city that has become a focal point in the national immigration policy debate. City officials have maintained sanctuary-style policies while federal agents have conducted increasingly visible enforcement operations.
Prosecutors argue the Reyes case demonstrates how policy disputes have escalated beyond demonstrations into alleged physical attacks on law enforcement carrying out federal duties. Federal agencies including Border Patrol have participated in enforcement activities in the city.
Last week, border czar Tom Homan pledged to deploy additional agents into New York if state lawmakers advanced legislation limiting federal immigration enforcement efforts, telling Fox News host Jesse Watters, “We’re enforcing the laws they enacted.”