Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducted a sweep at a parking lot used by rideshare drivers on Friday, steps from O’Hare Airport.
Federal agents were present twice in the “Alpha” lot, a designated spot for rideshare drivers, with the most recent time being around 2:15 p.m. Agents were asking drivers if they were U.S. citizens and to show proof. One agent came up to NBC Chicago reporter Regina Waldroup and asked if she was a U.S. citizen.
As of the late afternoon, about 50 rideshare vehicles were in the parking lot. But NBC Chicago was told there are usually several hundred. Several people were handcuffed and taken into custody.
Agents showed up in nondescript white mini vans; they were at the lot for about 15 to 20 minutes.
The sweep marked the second time ICE went to the lot on Friday.
One driver described what happened around 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 that represents rideshare drivers issued a statement that, in part, read:
“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.”
More than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested since an immigration crackdown started last month in the Chicago area, DHS previously said.
DHS released the following statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin 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.”
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