Updated:

Chicagoans Call Out ICE and Home Depot in Defense of Day Laborers

By
1488
0

Latest

chicagoans gather at a Home Depot to defend day laborers
Elected officials, musicians, organizers, and community members gather outside a Home Depot at Cicero Avenue and Armitage Avenue in Chicago on Nov. 1, 2025, to show solidarity with skilled workers and urge the company to protect day laborers from ICE while they seek work on its premises. Home Depot has faced criticism for remaining silent as federal agents reportedly detained workers and conducted raids outside its stores, while the company’s founders have been vocal supporters of President Donald Trump. Photo/Andres A. Chavez

Community residents, union members, and elected officials gathered outside a Home Depot on Cicero and Armitage in Chicago Nov. 1 to ask for solidarity with Day Laborers facing threats daily from federal agents participating in Operation Midway Blitz, and for Home Depot to take a stance and to not allow agents to conduct immigration detentions on its property.

The demonstration, organized by the Latino Union of Chicago, featured musicians, and speakers from the organization, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, and Illinois Congresswoman Delia Ramirez.

Home Depot has been criticized for their compliance with the immigration raids occurring outside of their facilities. Undocumented day laborers and skilled workers historically have used the company’s parking lot as a hub to find work, making them especially vulnerable to raids and detentions by ICE and Border Patrol.

“Our spirit will not be broken because we take care of each other,” Congresswoman Delia Ramirez said as a final remark to cheers from the crowd.

chicagoans gather at a Home Depot to show solidarity with day laborers
A demonstrator holds a sign that reads “Fuera ICE,” which translates to “ICE out,” during a rally outside a Home Depot at Cicero Avenue and Armitage Avenue in Chicago on Nov. 1, 2025. As detentions increase across the Chicago metropolitan area, members of the Latino community mobilize to show solidarity with day laborers and undocumented workers. Photo/Andres A. Chavez
+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

Featured

Luz Melissa Cortes Nieto, Tribuno del Pueblo -

We are Jane Doe

What happens when the institution responsible for investigating harm is the same institution worried about its reputation, donors, fraternity relationships, and legal liability? Silence protects power. Accountability means confronting it.
La Jornalera, La Talacha -

Nancy Leaves Before Dawn

This story brings insight into the lives of the millions of women and men who leave before dawn to keep entire cities running by cleaning, building, cooking, caring. But suddenly some want them seen them as criminals.
PEOPLE'S TRIBUNE -

Government Charges Man ICE Shot In Back With Assault

Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, the Venezuelan immigrant shot in the back by an ICE agent in Austin September 20, has now been charged by the government with assaulting a federal officer.
Mike Ludwig , TRUTHOUT -

People Keep Dying in ICE Custody. 13 Dems Back a Bill to Abolish the Agency

Legislation has been introduced called the Melt ICE Act which would dismantle ICE by ending the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to surveil and jail immigrants and redirect its funding to navigate a spiraling affordability crisis.
Bob Lee, People's Tribune -

Resistance is Challenging Grip of AIPAC on Congress

The pro-Israel AIPAC lobby is one of the most powerful lobbies in the country, but its influence over our elections and Congress is increasingly being challenged by candidates and voters.

More from the People's Tribune