Chicago food cart vendors, CPS families have growing fears of mass deportations ahead of 2nd Donald Trump presidency
Share and Follow

CHICAGO (WLS) — Concerns are running high in Chicago as undocumented families and small business owners prepare for next week when Donald Trump takes office as president. His border czar has promised mass deportations for people who are not in the country legally.

Those concerns range from the impact it may have on schools to how it could shut down food cart vendors.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

In the heart of Little Village, there are many hearts filled with anxious anticipation of how their lives might change next week if the Trump administration sends ICE agents to the Southwest Side, looking for undocumented immigrants to deport.

One food cart vender named Jerry, who was selling tamales Friday, was not worried for himself, but he is for his family and others in the community who depend on their small businesses to put food on their own table.

“I think a lot of food vendors are gonna get affected, like, because, like, a lot of people that are food vendors are undocumented,” Jerry said. “Like, I have papers, but my family doesn’t, is undocumented.”

There are also concerns about whether some parents might keep their children home from school when classes resume next Wednesday.

READ MORE | Suburban school districts try to calm immigrant community’s fears of mass deportations

Chicago Public Schools has already promised that undocumented students will be protected. The Chicago Teachers Union also taking a stand.

“We know Homeland Security Agents will be sent here to strike fear in the hearts of our students and our families and we are not standing for it,” CTU Vice President Jackson Potter said.

No one is sure when or where ICE agents might show up, but many in communities like Little Village will remain very cautious and concerned.

One food cart vendor ABC7 spoke with remained anonymous because she’s undocumented. She and others believe the streets here could much less busy next week and beyond.

“The economy is going to go down, because there’s not a lot of people that are going to be coming out to buy our products,” she said. “And as well, we’re not going to come out because of the fear of the raids.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson, at an interfaith prayer breakfast honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, acknowledged the fears many families have about next week.

“But we cannot allow fear and panic to disrupt and to block our unwavering desire to see hope truly manifest,” Johnson said.

SEE ALSO | Aldermen seek to allow CPD to work with ICE to deport lawbreaking non-citizens

City leaders reaffirmed Chicago’s commitment to being a sanctuary city this week, but that won’t stop ICE agents from carrying out orders targeting Chicago that could come as soon as Monday.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Judge orders Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops, arrests in California

Court orders Trump administration to stop making arbitrary immigration stops and arrests in California

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration…
Arizona resident dies of pneumonic plague

Tragic News: Arizona Resident Passes Away from Pneumonic Plague

() A resident in northern Arizona has died from the pneumonic plague,…
War on cartels yields results as 'El Chapo' heir confesses to running violent drug empire

War on cartels yields results as ‘El Chapo’ heir confesses to running violent drug empire

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! One of the sons…
Kate delights Wimbledon spectators as she heads into Royal Box

“Kate Captivates Wimbledon Audience with Royal Box Appearance”

The Princess of Wales put her best fashion foot forward and appeared…
Billionaire poses with glamorous new fiancee and their BABY

“Billionaire and Stunning Fiancee Introduce Their New Family Member”

John Paulson, a Wall Street billionaire, was captured in a happy moment…
Yusuf Salaam owes six figures in taxes, despite speaking fees

Yusuf Salaam has a large tax debt, despite earning money from public speaking engagements

Yusef Salaam, a former member of the Central Park Five who is…
Judge orders Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops, arrests in California

Court demands Trump administration to stop random immigration stops and arrests in California

LOS ANGELES (AP) A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration…
Trump announces 30% tariffs against EU, Mexico to begin August 1

Trump to impose 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico starting August 1

BRIDGEWATER, New Jersey (AP) President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he’s levying…