60-year-old tamale vendor detained 11 days, released after federal judge intervenes
Oct 2025·Location: Chicago, IL
Country of origin: Mexico

A 60-year-old Mexican tamale vendor who had been selling street food in Pilsen for over a decade was detained by ICE agents when she could not provide proof of legal status. She had been supporting herself and her son while managing diabetes since her husband's death in 2023. She was released on October 22, 11 days after filing her habeas case.
Sources
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