In the latest chapter of Chicago’s ongoing immigration saga, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has raised alarms over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents targeting rideshare drivers at O’Hare Airport. The reports, still unconfirmed, suggest that at least four drivers have been arrested since early morning—turning what should be a routine day of picking up passengers into a nightmare for immigrant workers.
ICIRR’s warning was clear: “Alert. ICE activity confirmed in rideshare waiting area at O'Hare.” It’s not just an alert; it’s a call to action. The organization is advising drivers to avoid the designated waiting lots at O'Hare Airport in the coming days to avoid being caught in this federal dragnet.
The mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, did not mince words in his condemnation of this ICE operation. He called the actions of federal agents “unacceptable,” claiming they go against the core values of Chicago, a sanctuary city. “The harassment and intimidation of rideshare drivers by federal agents at O'Hare violates the values of our sanctuary city. Chicago's message is clear: everyone living here deserves safety, dignity, and respect,” he tweeted.
But don’t expect any changes to come easy. The Illinois Drivers Alliance, representing rideshare drivers, has been vocal in defending its members. They argued that these workers are essential, stating that they “keep our city accessible, ensuring travelers can get from point A to point B safely every single day.” It’s hard to argue with that logic—after all, these drivers play a critical role in keeping the city’s transportation system running smoothly.
The problem has been brewing for a while, though. ICE enforcement has long been a contentious issue in Chicago, especially around an ICE detention center located in Broadview, a suburb just ten miles west of the city. It’s become a flashpoint for protests, with many locals demanding an end to what they see as an unfair targeting of immigrants.
And if this situation wasn’t tense enough, the Trump administration has upped the ante. On Friday, the former president’s legal team filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area, escalating the battle between Trump and Democratic governors over the use of military force on U.S. soil. This move came after a judge temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops from Illinois and Texas to assist with immigration enforcement. A federal appeals court backed that decision, but with Trump’s conservative-friendly Supreme Court, we know that anything can happen.
The Trump administration has made it clear they intend to keep the pressure on. In the past, the Supreme Court has ruled in Trump’s favor on key issues involving military policy, immigration, and executive power, often siding with his administration in emergency appeals. It’s no surprise, then, that this battle is far from over.
As ICE continues to target immigrant workers in Chicago, the city’s sanctuary policies are facing their biggest test yet. The battle between local values and federal enforcement is heating up, and it’s unclear who will win. One thing’s for certain, though: Chicago is in the spotlight, and the eyes of the nation are watching.
