Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted a raid of a rideshare parking lot used by rideshare drivers on Friday, steps from O’Hare Airport.
Federal officials were present twice in the “Alpha” lot, a designated place for rideshare drivers, the most recent at roughly 2:15 p.m. Agents asked drivers if they were US citizens and demanded proof. One agent approached NBC Chicago reporter Regina Waldroup and questioned if she was a US citizen.
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In the late afternoon, there were approximately 50 rideshare vehicles in the parking lot. However, NBC Chicago was told there are regularly several hundred. Several individuals were handcuffed and taken into custody.
Agents arrived in nondescript white minivans and remained at the lot for around 15 to 20 minutes.
The sweep represented ICE’s second visit to the lot on Friday.
One driver described what occurred at 10 a.m.
“It was pretty surprising to see them up here, though, honestly,” said rideshare driver Donald Cooper. “I didn’t even see them. I was sitting in the lot for a nice little minute, and I pulled out, and they were all around.”
The union representing rideshare drivers published a statement that, in part, reads:
“We are deeply concerned that the drivers’ due process rights were violated at O’Hare today. 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…we are working diligently to gather more information.”
Since an immigration operation began last month in the Chicago region, DHS has apprehended over 1,000 immigrants.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin from DHS released the following statement on Friday evening:
“U.S. Border Patrol conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation at O’Hare International Airport that arrested of 12 illegal aliens, all in violation of our nation’s immigration laws. Among those arrested was Elvis Rodriguez-Colmenares, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela, who was previously arrested for domestic battery causing great bodily harm. These criminals will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
