Border Patrol Arrests 11 Rideshare Drivers At O'Hare Parking Lot

Federal agents arrested 11 rideshare drivers at O'Hare Airport on Saturday, continuing a trend of immigration enforcement targeting undocumented workers in the city's transportation sector. The Department of Homeland Security reported that those detained included individuals from Colombia, Mexico, Mongolia, and other nations, with some having criminal records for offenses like domestic battery and DUI. The Illinois Drivers Alliance characterized the arrests as a dangerous escalation, asserting that rideshare drivers are essential to Chicago's transportation network. Ronnie Gonzalez, a leader in the advocacy group, criticized the enforcement tactics as harassment rather than genuine public safety measures. Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his commitment to working with the drivers alliance to safeguard rideshare workers, highlighting plans to post signage against immigration enforcement in parking lots.

Johnson's efforts include an executive order that restricts federal agents from conducting immigration actions on city-owned property. Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino confirmed that more enforcement actions are planned, emphasizing the agency's focus on undocumented rideshare operators. The situation raises significant concerns about the treatment of immigrant workers and their role in the local economy.