Chicago Residents Mount Block-by-Block Resistance Against ICE Enforcement

Since President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown began in September 2025, Chicago neighborhoods have organized grassroots resistance against ICE enforcement efforts, using social media to track agents and mobilize protests. Residents in various communities, including upscale Lakeview, have confronted immigration agents, employing tactics such as sounding whistles and blocking routes to slow down or prevent arrests, sometimes resulting in agents deploying tear gas and other forceful measures. Protesters emphasize that Chicago is not a violent city and view the immigration raids as terrorizing and disruptive to their neighborhoods. The Department of Homeland Security has defended the professionalism of its officers despite the protests and confrontations. Court orders have mandated ICE agents to use body cameras and provide warnings before using tear gas, while community members have taken protective actions such as monitoring for raids and standing guard near schools. This ongoing conflict highlights the tension between federal immigration enforcement policies and local community resistance in Chicago.