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Nursing mother among ride-share drivers blocked, questioned at O'Hare; 12 arrested

October 2025·Location: Chicago, IL

Nursing mother among ride-share drivers blocked, questioned at O'Hare; 12 arrested
Photo via ACLU

At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, ride-share drivers — including, in one sweep, a nursing mother — were blocked in and questioned about their status by federal immigration agents. In a separate incident, a ride-share driver who produced an Illinois ID and work authorization had his car boxed in, window broken, was fired on with a Taser twice after the first attempt failed, and then tased again after being pulled from the vehicle. Border Patrol agents later confirmed 12 people were arrested in a parking lot where ride-share drivers typically wait between rides, part of the broader 'Midway Blitz' enforcement operation. In response, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Illinois Drivers Alliance announced 'Know Your Rights' trainings for drivers and plans to post signage barring civil immigration enforcement from the O'Hare rideshare lot.

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