Ofelia's Story
Detention of parents, caregivers, and family members had long-lasting and sometimes irreparable harm on families and children. Watch Ofelia Torres' story to see how one family was impacte.
Video by Ace & Sons
families and communities changed
At neighborhood listening sessions, the Commission heard from residents about the ongoing negative impact of Operation Midway Blitz.
Listen to voice actor portrayals of real quotes from listening session participants.
How our community used to be before: visit your neighbor, go to work, now we are afraid to even go to the hospital”
Participant at Franklin Park Listening Session
The counselors need counselors because of all the stories they’re hearing, having kids crying in their office.”
Participant at Southwest Side Listening Session
So now we are scared to be at stores, lost the freedom to go outside. The issue is our lives have changed: home to work, work to home. I don’t feel safe anymore like I used to. In Melrose Park, there is a pool and park and now it is empty. People are stopping to go to church because they said they could now enter churches to take us. We hope we can overcome this fear.”
Participant at Franklin Park Listening Session
BUSINESSES hurt
Family businesses sustained heavy losses during and after enforcement operations.
“It was horrific.”
Huge revenue losses lasted months
Enlace Chicago, a community organization in the Little Village neighborhood, spoke with 130 businesses, most of which sustained losses. 70 of those businesses reported losses ranging from 40 to 70% during enforcement operations, and some reported ongoing 70% revenue declines months after Operation Midway Blitz had ended.
Business has definitely changed, and not for the better. We are hurting. Ever since this whole immigration raid began we have been hurting financially. … I’m having trouble holding onto people, I can't hire. People aren't coming in to shop. I had to start picking people up from their homes, bringing them to work, taking them home, just to make sure they stay around and I can open the shop.
Source: The Robinson Collective, How Do You Belong in This World?: A Narrative Briefing of the Economic Disruption and Community Harm Caused by Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions, at 2, April 2026.
There were a few times in the course of owning a business that were like… you know, a point where there was a hardship. Obviously, COVID was one of them. These tariffs were another one, and having another one of these points right on top of one another, you know, having the enforcement coming to Chicago… I wanted to open another shop. In 2025, I decided I would shut that down... I just think it was just frozen. I just froze as a business owner to, like, not put my neck out there.
Source: The Robinson Collective, How Do You Belong in This World?: A Narrative Briefing of the Economic Disruption and Community Harm Caused by Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions, at 2, April 2026.