Crime & Law
12 Arrested in Immigration Raid at O’Hare Airport Rideshare Parking Lot Friday
Chicago O’Hare International Airport is pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News)
Federal agents targeted a parking lot filled with rideshare drivers in an immigration raid near Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Friday that resulted in 12 arrests.
The Illinois Drivers Alliance said agents conducted a raid in an O’Hare parking lot where rideshare drivers often wait between trips to pick up travelers.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Border Patrol agents conducted a “targeted immigration enforcement operation” at O’Hare that resulted in the arrest of 12 people whom the agency claim were in “violation of our nation’s immigration laws.”
“We are deeply concerned that the drivers’ due process rights were violated at O’Hare today,” the drivers alliance said in a statement. “This is part of a broader pattern of attacks on immigrant families by an administration that continues to weaponize fear and division instead of investing in solutions that strengthen our communities.”
McLaughlin said the 12 people arrested will remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody pending removal proceedings.
Spokespeople for O’Hare and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday afternoon.
The reported raid comes amid increasing immigration enforcement across Chicago as part of the “Midway Blitz” operation that began last month. DHS officials earlier this month said more than 1,000 arrests have been made during that ongoing operation.
The Illinois Drivers Alliance said it is “working diligently” to gather more information about the reported raid and ensure that “every person’s constitutional rights were respected and protected throughout this disturbing incident.”
“The Illinois Drivers Alliance rejects unconstitutional raids, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with all hard working immigrant drivers, families, and essential workers targeted by these unjust actions,” it said. “Chicago is strongest when every worker — regardless of race, religion, or immigration status — is safe, respected, and living free from fear.”
