Chicagoans are organising in response to a wave of immigration enforcement raids under the Trump administration's 'Operation Midway Blitz', which began on 9 September 2025. The operation, led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection agents, has targeted nearly every part of the city. According to the National Center for Immigrant Justice and the Illinois Coalition on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, approximately 1,300 people have been illegally detained, with ongoing violations of a court order prohibiting warrantless arrests. Mayor Brandon Johnson has called for a United Nations investigation into the force used during the raids.
One incident occurred in mid-October near Colibrí Cafe in Chicago's East Side neighbourhood. Co-owner Anaís Robles witnessed federal agents deploying tear gas to clear the streets. 'People were just in the streets, so to clear out the area, they teargas all of us,' she said, describing the burning sensation as she retreated to her shop.
In response, community groups have intensified efforts that began during Trump's first term. Diego Morales, a volunteer with Puño (Pilsen Unidos por Nuestro Orgullo), has trained over 2,000 people in MigraWatch sessions, teaching them how to identify ICE agents and understand their legal rights. 'Ideally, we want to reach a critical mass of trained people in the city of Chicago,' he said, emphasising the importance of a connected network ready to respond.
Other initiatives include 'Whistlemania' events hosted by Belmont Cragin United on the West Side. Volunteers assemble kits containing whistles, community resource guides, and zines on how to gather crowds when ICE is spotted. Alonso Zaragoza, a participant, told Block Club Chicago: 'We're showing them in deeds and actions that we care about them, even if the federal government doesn't.' More than 17,000 kits have been packed at these events.
Morgan Martinez, owner of Solar Intentions in Edgewater, has joined local rapid response teams that conduct community patrols at businesses and schools. The raids have turned vibrant immigrant-owned business districts into ghost towns, but residents remain committed to protecting their communities through mutual aid and education.
