Community Activism in Chicago: Resisting Immigration Crackdown with Whistles

Sun Nov 16 2025 19:15:54 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As federal immigration enforcement intensifies in Chicago, residents unite under the leadership of local activists like Baltazar Enriquez, utilizing community patrols and whistle signals to combat targeted deportations and protect their rights.

In the face of an aggressive immigration crackdown in Chicago, community members are taking action. Led by activists like Baltazar Enriquez in Little Village, residents use whistles to alert each other to the presence of immigration agents. With reported arrests of over 3,200 individuals during this period, the city has become a flashpoint for grassroots resistance against what many describe as a racist and oppressive federal policy. The unique response from Chicago residents highlights Midwestern sensibilities and deep-rooted organizing traditions, modeling strategies for other cities facing similar challenges. As the movement grows nationwide, activists are providing support and resources to empower communities to defend their rights.

CHICAGO (AP) — Baltazar Enriquez starts most mornings with street patrols, leaving his home in Chicago’s Little Village on foot or by car to find immigration agents that have repeatedly targeted his largely Mexican neighborhood.

Wearing an orange whistle around his neck, the activist broadcasts his plans on Facebook.

“We don’t know if they’re going to come back. All we know is we’ve got to get ready,” he tells thousands of followers. “Give us any tips if you see any suspicious cars.”

As an unprecedented immigration crackdown enters a third month, a growing number of Chicago residents are fighting back against what they deem a racist and aggressive overreach of the federal government. The Democratic stronghold’s response has tapped established activists and everyday residents from wealthy suburbs to working-class neighborhoods.

They say their efforts — community patrols, rapid responders, school escorts, vendor buyouts, honking horns and blowing whistles — are a uniquely Chicago response that other cities want to model.

“The strategy here is to make us afraid. The response from Chicago is a bunch of obscenities and ‘no,’” said Anna Zolkowski Sobor, whose North Side neighborhood saw agents throw tear gas and tackle an elderly man. “We are all Chicagoans who deserve to be here. Leave us alone.”

The sound of resistance

The sound of whistles has become a hallmark of resistance in Chicago. Enriquez is credited with being among the first to introduce the concept. For months, Little Village residents have used them to broadcast the constant presence of immigration agents.

Furious blasts serve to warn and attract observers who record video or criticize agents. Arrests, often deemed kidnappings, have drawn increasingly agitated crowds. Immigration agents have responded aggressively, with some instances of lethal force and the use of tear gas.

Officers fatally shot one man during a traffic stop, while other agents have engaged in physical force. In early November, Chicago police were called to investigate shots fired at agents. Activists claim they discourage violence, emphasizing their reliance on whistles as a means of safety.

By October, neighborhoods were hosting “Whistlemania” events to distribute brightly colored devices to community members. “They want that orange whistle,” said activist Gabe Gonzalez. “They want to nod to each other in the street and know they are part of this movement.”

Midwestern sensibilities and organizing roots

Despite its size, Chicago operates as a collection of small towns where residents know their neighbors and support each other. When immigration agents began targeting food vendors, Rick Rosales organized bicycle rides to buy out their inventory and lower their risk.

Irais Sosa, co-founder of an apparel store, established a neighbor program offering grocery runs and rideshare gift cards for families feeling vulnerable. Enriquez’s organization, the Little Village Community Council, has seen its school escort program grow significantly.

The grassroots nature of the resistance is linked to Chicago’s historical tradition of community and union organizing. As federal agents intensified operations, activists mobilized an emergency hotline for response teams to gather information on detainments and circulate updates online.

Protests have rapidly increased, with high school students participating through walkouts. Delilah Hernandez, a student, articulated the urgency felt by many: “There is so much going on. You feel it.”

A difficult environment

Over 3,200 people suspected of immigration law violations have been arrested during the “Operation Midway Blitz.” The Department of Homeland Security claims officers face hostile environments whilst pursuing violent criminals. However, local activism has sparked bipartisan dialogues on the measures being taken.

Despite the immediate challenges, efforts continue as activists aim to inspire similar movements in other cities. Organizers across the country look to Chicago’s model to strengthen their own communities, illustrating the power of unity amidst hardship.

Enriquez's patrol shifts are demanding and take a mental toll, highlighting both the emotional scars of this ordeal and the determination of those in Chicago to stand against unjust practices.