Watch live: Anti-ICE protests outside Chicago-area facility

(NewsNation) — Tensions continue to rise outside an immigration facility in suburban Chicago, as protesters and federal agents clash over ICE raids in the city.

On Friday, protesters gathered outside the immigration processing facility in the Village of Broadview, Illinois, calling for transparency and accountability from federal agents.

“Over the last month, we have watched as ICE has operated with impunity in Chicago. They destroy homes, kill our neighbors and disappear hundreds in the name of unlawful and racist orders,” Kat Abughazaleh, a Congressional candidate told reporters.

Federal agents have been accused of using tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets on crowds gathering outside the facility — some of which have struck protesters, bystanders and journalists.

“Broadview is a warzone. It’s a warzone with the government waging war on peaceful protesters. And every week the government escalates,” Abughazaleh said. “You can see it right here, they have a fixed gun on the roof right now, aiming at protesters.”

Reports have also emerged of U.S. citizens being detained by federal agents. In response, veterans' groups, civil rights organizations and some National Guard members have joined demonstrations outside the facility in Broadview. The protests followed the arrest of 70-year-old veteran Dana Briggs, as well as the court release of Paul Ivery, who is accused of threatening to kill an ICE officer during a demonstration.

“We want transparency, we want accountability, we want oversight,” Andre Vasquez, a Chicago alderman said. “But we want this to end, and we want people to have solutions rather than excuses.”

Conditions inside the facility have also come under scrutiny.

“We learned through a client's family member that individuals at Broadview are sleeping on the floor,” said Brigitte Kocheny, supervising attorney at the Children’s Legal Center. “There are no beds. There are no pots. They are not giving blankets or pillows. They are on the floor."

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he learned through media reports that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would soon be visiting the facility. Pritzker said he wants Noem to take questions from reporters about “snatching up families, scaring law-abiding citizens, violating due process rights, and detaining U.S. citizens.”

The Village of Broadview has opened three criminal investigations into ICE activity, focusing on the use of chemical agents, physical harm and verbal abuse directed at local police. The village mayor and police chief said federal agents have crossed the line and have demanded an end to what they call “state-sanctioned violence.”

"ICE has to stop unprovoked criminal chemical arms attacks on peaceful protesters and on journalists,” said Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson. “This behavior is not normal. This is not Putin's Russian. This is the United States of America."

In addition, the Illinois State Police announced Thursday a “safe zone” meant to protect lawful protesters at the facility and “the health and safety of all individuals, including nearby Broadview residents and businesses, and enable the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights.”

Federal officials have pushed back on many of these allegations, calling them attempts to smear ICE operations.

A spokesperson for ICE said the Broadview mayor is distorting reality and that ICE officers are protecting the community from real threats while also facing growing violence against them.