Anger Rises as Federal Agents Arrest 11 in Second Immigration Raid at Chicago's O’Hare Airport
- Natalie Frank
- 7 days ago
- 1 min read
Chicago’s sanctuary city promises face new scrutiny after back-to-back federal raids target rideshare drivers at O’Hare International Airport
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D October 19, 2025
CHICAGO - Federal immigration agents carried out a second raid this month at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, detaining 11 people in the rideshare staging area early Saturday morning. The operation — the second in less than two weeks — has reignited tensions between federal authorities and city officials over Chicago’s commitment to its sanctuary city policies.
The latest detentions mirror an earlier incident on October 10, when Border Patrol agents targeted rideshare drivers waiting for passenger requests and took roughly 18 individuals into custody. Both raids took place in the same designated lot, raising questions about how federal agents continue to access city-owned property that Mayor Brandon Johnson had vowed to shield from such enforcement actions.
According to Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the individuals arrested Saturday had criminal histories “ranging from domestic battery to driving under the influence.” She did not release names or further details, preventing independent verification of those claims by The Chicago Tribune and other outlets.
Bailey Koch, spokesperson for Service Employees International Union Local 1, which represents and seeks to organize Illinois rideshare workers, confirmed the detentions but said the union had limited information about who was taken or where they were transported. “We are still trying to identify the drivers,” Koch said.
