Business

Chicago Group Raises $300K for Struggling Street Vendors Amid Fears of Immigration Raids

Many of Chicago’s street vendors say they’re being pushed out of business amid concerns over federal immigration enforcement. A number of vendors have stopped selling altogether since the start of what the Trump administration has called “Operation Midway Blitz.”

Throughout the year, you can typically find vendors in neighborhoods across the city selling food like elotes, tamales, tacos and raspados.

In Little Village, there used to be numerous vendors lined up along 26th Street at any given time. But over the past two months, that reality has changed and fewer vendors are on the street.

The Street Vendors Association of Chicago said the situation is becoming desperate. Vice President Juan Gama said many can’t work and are struggling to make ends meet. To help, the association launched a street vendor relief fund.

What happened next took them by surprise.

The association not only met its GoFundMe goal of $300,000 — it exceeded that goal, raising more than $337,000 by Wednesday evening.

With more than 6,000 street vendors across Chicago, the Street Vendors Association aims to reach at least 1,000 vendors. So far, they’ve distributed $500 checks to 150 vendors.

According to the association, many street vendors are 60 or older and depend on their daily sales to get by.

Maria Orozco, an outreach organizer at the Street Vendors Association, said it’s heartbreaking to watch hardworking people be treated unfairly because of their immigration status.

With immigration enforcement pushing people into the shadows, the association said a number of Chicagoans have stepped up to offer support.

The group CyclingxSolidarity, for instance, is organizing bike tours across the city to buy out vendors’ supplies.

---