ICE Video Stirring Controversy Happened In New York, Not Illinois: Oswego Police, Fire Departments

OSWEGO, IL — A video showing firefighters appearing to assist ICE agents by putting up a ladder during a rooftop standoff is making the rounds on social media, and officials in Kendall County want residents to know it happened in Oswego, New York, not Illinois.

"This morning, I was made aware of a video circulating online depicting members of the Oswego Police and Oswego Fire Departments assisting ICE agents. I want to make it very clear that this incident occurred in Oswego, New York — not Oswego, Illinois," Oswego, Illinois, Fire Chief Joshua Flanders said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

He continued, "Since this morning, the Oswego Fire Protection District has received numerous phone calls, a flood of emails, and people stopping by our firehouses regarding this video. Needless to say, many of those contacts have not been particularly happy with the Fire District or its personnel. I completely understand that people have strong feelings about what they see in the video. However, before directing those feelings toward our firefighters and paramedics, please take a moment to make sure you have the correct Oswego."

Adding that local firefighters "had absolute no involvement" in the incident, Flanders said he is always willing "to sit down with anyone who wants to learn more about the Oswego Fire Protection District, our community, or the work our firefighters and paramedics do every day."

He added, "That said, I respectfully ask that the members of this department not be attacked, criticized, or contacted regarding an incident that did not occur here and that they had no involvement in."

Oswego, Illinois, police also issued clarification via Facebook — where the page has long been clear that it belongs to the Village of Oswego Police, IL.

"Some of you may have seen or heard about a video involving Oswego, New York, police and fire personnel, and federal immigration agents," the post said. "We were mistaken for that agency and have received questions about what would happen if a similar situation occurred here in Oswego, Illinois."

It continued, "While we don’t have all the facts surrounding that particular incident in New York, we can provide some information about what Illinois law allows and prohibits. Illinois law generally prohibits local police from assisting with federal civil immigration enforcement."

The post went on to clarify the law in Illinois, which bars police from participating in immigration enforcement, complying with immigration detainers, transferring people into ICE custody, allowing immigration agents access to state and local facilities, arresting people based on their immigration status, and more.