Federal charges against six Illinois ICE protesters dismissed after judge cites grand jury issues

The case ended on May 21 when U.S. District Judge April M Perry criticized the handling of grand jury transcripts during a hearing. The six defendants, later called the Broadview Six, faced felony conspiracy charges after protesting at the facility in September 2025. Prosecutors had already dismissed two defendants in March and reduced charges against the remaining four to misdemeanors in April.

Grand jury proceedings Court records show three separate grand juries considered the case. The first two returned no bills, refusing to issue indictments. A third grand jury returned an indictment after U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros addressed the panel.

Judge Perry stated that prosecutors had removed portions of the grand jury transcripts before submitting them to the court. The judge noted that prosecutors communicated with grand jurors outside the grand jury room and removed jurors who disagreed with the government's case.

Boutros later announced changes to grand jury procedures in his office and released a special report on the matter. Two U.S. senators from Illinois called for his resignation following the dismissal.

Effects on defendants The defendants reported months of stress, isolation from each other, and more than $1 million in combined legal fees. One defendant, Kat Abughazaleh, said the dismissal was not justice but was a win. The government has not removed its October 2025 press release announcing the charges.

Defense attorneys stated that Boutros asked grand jurors about their views on immigration cases before the indictment was returned. Ron Safer, a former federal prosecutor, said the case raised concerns about how government officials present evidence in future proceedings.