Federal Judge Denies Broadview ICE Center Protester Preliminary Injunction over Free Speech Zone

(Broadview) – Federal Judge Franklin Valderrama of the Northern District of Illinois on Monday, September 14, denied Robert Held's preliminary injunction request against the Village of Broadview, finding that he could not prove that he was restricted from using a public sidewalk to protest at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Facility located in the village.

Evidence showed Held has protested without issue. The court emphasized that Held, a protest regular at the ICE facility, failed to demonstrate ongoing or imminent First Amendment violations without the injunction.

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"Robert Held has been on an attention-getting spree since Midway Blitz began a year ago, and it has now come to an end," said Village of Broadview spokesperson David Ormsby. "Judge Valderrama correctly decided that there was no reason to grant Held a preliminary injunction when it is clear that he can protest where and when he pleases around the ICE center."

Held's First Amendment claim centered on his right to protest on the public sidewalk outside the facility. Held challenged Mayor Katrina Thompson's Executive Order 2025-05, which had not been enforced since March 2026 and contained no prohibition against protests on the nearby sidewalk.

Held's full lawsuit is still pending in court.

davidormsby@davidormsby.com