Federal immigration officials on Friday targeted a parking lot near O’Hare International Airport where ride-share drivers wait between trips, advocates said.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said 18 people were arrested at O’Hare as part of an operation carried out by Border Patrol officers on Friday.
In a statement, the Illinois Drivers Alliance — a labor coalition seeking to organize ride-share drivers — said it was “deeply concerned that the drivers’ due process rights were violated at O’Hare.”
“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,” the group said.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the operation was “targeted” and claimed in a statement that the people arrested Friday were “all in violation of our nation’s immigration laws.”
McLaughlin said those arrested would remain in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “pending removal proceedings.”
“Under President (Donald) Trump and (Homeland Security) Secretary (Kristi) Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S,” she said.
The O’Hare arrests come in the midst of President Trump’s immigration crackdown in Chicago, which officials claim has so far has resulted in the arrests of more than 1,000 people. Over the course of the operation, advocates have raised concerns about the targeting of workers, particularly of day laborers.
The Drivers Alliance, which is anchored by the Service Employees International Union Local 1 and the International Association of Machinists Mechanics Union Local 701, is seeking to organize ride-share drivers across Illinois.
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“Chicago is strongest when every worker — regardless of race, religion, or immigration status — is safe, respected and living free from fear,” the Alliance said.
The city of Chicago’s Aviation Department did not respond to a request for comment.