On a cold evening in Chicago, over 200 people gathered at Apollo’s 2000 Theater in Little Village for a panel discussion on how residents can support immigrants during ongoing federal immigration enforcement actions. The event, organized by Block Club Chicago, featured speakers who have been directly affected by Operation Midway Blitz and are involved in efforts to hold federal agencies accountable.
Rep. Delia Ramirez, representing Illinois’s 3rd District and serving on the congressional committee overseeing the Department of Homeland Security, addressed the crowd. “At Broadview, if it weren’t for the people who continued to show up and demand [answers], these lawsuits wouldn’t have been available, wouldn’t have been possible,” Ramirez said. She credited community activism with prompting legal accountability from officials such as Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino. “The reason the judge was able to force [Border Patrol chief Gregory] Bovino to come to court and wear a body camera is because of the work that you do every single day,” she added. “Give yourselves another round of applause. You are holding them accountable. You are the justice.”
Ramirez also announced new legislation aimed at limiting federal spending on immigration enforcement, which she formally introduced the day after the event.
Other panelists included Maria Orozco from the Street Vendors Association of Chicago, who spoke about her family’s experiences with immigration enforcement risks faced by street vendors and day laborers. Orozco recounted an incident where her father’s employer rented him a hotel room to avoid ICE agents during his commute and highlighted community support: “A simple act like that — if you can’t check on everybody, at least check on your neighbors and make sure they’re OK,” she said. “There are a lot of people who are scared, who don’t know their rights. So if you’re privileged enough to not be scared, to not be detained, check on your neighbors.”
Karina Martinez from Brighton Park Neighborhood Council emphasized listening to those most impacted by current policies: “There are people who want to take advantage of the situation and sometimes they want to use it to build their own following,” Martinez said. “To that I say, use your listening ears and please listen to the people most directly impacted and make sure we’re taking the lead of those people at the forefront and at all times.”
Eréndira Rendón of The Resurrection Project discussed using personal stories and social media documentation as tools for advocacy: “It is incredibly important for the litigation that’s been happening but it is also what is shifting public opinion,” Rendón said. “The faster we can shift public opinion, the faster that we can continue to have some of the wins we need to be able to see some of the change that is happening.”
Block Club Little Village reporter Francia García Hernández moderated the panel discussion while performances were provided by mariachi group Cielito Lindo and spoken word artist LaLa Bolander.
The event was supported by grants from Driehaus Foundation and MacArthur Foundation; food was provided by Los Comales with live English-to-Spanish translation services from Traducción Now.
Audience members asked questions about verified information sources on social media platforms, conditions inside ICE facilities, Department of Homeland Security operations, and safety in places of worship.
The venue itself—Apollo’s 2000 Theater—was granted landmark status by Chicago in 2024 after sustained efforts led by its longtime owners, as previously reported by Block Club reporter Madison Savedra.
In addition to discussions about policy and community action, attendees browsed products from more than a dozen local vendors at a market organized in partnership with Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC). IHCC president Jaime di Paulo stated: “The IHCC was proud to collaborate with Block Club Chicago on an event that created space for honest conversation and community learning. Events like this are critical for sharing practical guidance, uplifting small businesses, and ensuring our communities have access to the resources they need.”
This marked Block Club Chicago’s first public event in 2026; additional events focused on city issues are planned throughout Chicago this year.
All partnerships related to these events operate independently from Block Club Chicago’s editorial coverage.
