The increased presence of Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel in the Chicago region has begun to affect Will County and other suburban areas.

Since the summer, multiple immigrants residing in Joliet and surrounding communities have been detained by ICE, including at least one man who was arrested inside the Will County courthouse while attending court with a family member for an unrelated traffic violation.

Despite repeated requests by local officials and The Herald-News for ICE to acknowledge its presence in the city and its involvement in these arrests, the agency has refused to confirm any actions that have been taken. The Joliet Police Department and immigration attorneys have confirmed the stories.

Sharlyn Grace, the deputy publ

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