Urgent: ICE Detains Chicago Street Vendors, Community Rallies for Support

BREAKING: Chicago’s street vendors face a crisis as ICE detains multiple vendors, including María Irma Pérez Padilla, a beloved tamale seller, during a raid on October 25, 2025. Community members are mobilizing with emergency funds to support families affected by these detentions, triggering a wave of solidarity and urgent fundraising efforts.

For nearly 16 years, Pérez Padilla anchored her corner in Pilsen, selling tamales to support her family after her husband’s death. However, her routine was shattered when masked federal agents detained her while she was preparing orders. “They didn’t even let her finish her job,” lamented her son, Jaime Montano. Despite her clean record, Pérez Padilla was taken to a detention center, becoming one of at least 15 vendors swept up since the launch of Operation Midway Blitz in September.

The operation was initially pitched as a crackdown on individuals with violent criminal records, but families of the detained vendors are revealing a stark reality: most have no such history. As fear grips the community, local organizations are stepping in, providing emergency financial assistance to help vendors avoid working outdoors amidst the threat of arrest.

The Street Vendors Association of Chicago has initiated a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $300,000 to assist those impacted by the raids. Donations have poured in, with nearly 979 vendors applying for emergency checks. “The fear generated by recent raids has forced many to forgo the income they rely on,” said Maria Orozco from SVAC.

The situation escalated further when fellow vendor Laura Murillo was also detained, prompting friends and family to keep her stand operational while raising funds for her legal defense. “We are fighting her deportation because she is not a criminal,” her fiancé, Jaime Perez, stated. Murillo has run her business for nearly 20 years and is now being held in a Texas detention center.

The impact of these detentions extends beyond individual families. Many streets that once bustled with vendors selling elotes, fruit, and snacks are now eerily quiet. The enforcement has left vendors like Edwin Andres Quinones—detained while selling fruit—struggling to support their families. His wife, currently navigating her own asylum case, is now left to care for their child alone.

Community organizers are stepping up to ensure vendors can continue to earn income without risking arrest. Initiatives like “tamale trains” are gaining traction, where community members raise funds to buy out vendors, allowing them to earn without the constant threat of detention.

As the holidays approach and enforcement actions are expected to continue, local advocates are working tirelessly to provide support. “These are community staples who interact with their neighbors every day,” said Brandon Lee from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “The disdain ICE shows for our immigrant communities is evident in these actions.”

The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. With court dates looming and an uncertain future, families are desperate for answers and assistance. “It gets very depressing when there is nothing coming in,” Orozco added, highlighting the emotional toll on vendors and their families.

Community support is vital as these neighborhoods navigate this crisis. The need for compassion and action has never been more critical. As the Street Vendors Association continues its fundraising efforts, the resilience of these vendors and the communities that support them shines through in their fight for dignity and survival.

As developments unfold, the call for solidarity grows stronger. Community members are encouraged to contribute to the GoFundMe and participate in local efforts to assist vendors impacted by ICE raids. The fight for justice and support for these essential community members is more important than ever.