Illinois Drivers Alliance and Mayor Brandon Johnson Working to Safeguard Protections for Drivers; Launches Know Your Rights Trainings
Following last week’s alarming ICE/U.S. Border Control raid at an O’Hare International Airport parking lot where rideshare drivers safely wait between trips, the Illinois Drivers Alliance (IDA) is mobilizing to protect drivers and their families. U.S. Border Control and ICE’s presence in this space – where working people gather simply to make a living – represents a dangerous escalation that undermines Chicago’s local laws, sows fear among immigrant communities, and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of essential workers who keep our city moving.
Rideshare drivers are the backbone of Chicago’s transportation system and an essential link in the airport network that keeps our city moving. Every day, drivers ensure seamless travel to and from O’Hare and Midway, helping millions of residents, workers, and visitors connect to flights, hotels, downtown businesses, and neighborhoods across the city. Rideshare drivers are a critical economic lifeline for Chicago, supporting tourism, commerce, and accessibility for working families. This incident is yet another reminder of why drivers need a union: to have a collective voice to stand up against exploitation, protect their rights, and demand real accountability from corporations and government agencies alike.
In response to the raids, the Illinois Drivers Alliance is:
Working closely with the City of Chicago and the Johnson Administration to ensure that the O’Hare rideshare lot immediately posts signage clearly prohibiting entry for purposes of civil immigration enforcement and that the area is routinely monitored by qualified security personnel. We are also collaborating with the Administration to develop longer-term protective measures to ensure that only individuals with lawful authorization have access to the lot.
Hosting a series of Know Your Rights trainings for rideshare drivers and their families across the Chicago area. These trainings will ensure that every driver understands their constitutional rights and how to exercise them if approached by immigration or law enforcement officials.
The Illinois Drivers Alliance represents tens of thousands of rideshare drivers organizing for fair pay, safety, and dignity on the job. IDA remains committed to defending immigrant and working families against attacks that threaten their rights and livelihoods.
“Chicago will always stand with working people—especially the essential workers who keep our city running every single day,” said City of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The harassment and intimidation of rideshare drivers by federal agents at O’Hare is unacceptable and violates the values of our sanctuary city. My administration is working closely with the Illinois Drivers Alliance to ensure drivers are protected, their rights are respected, and that our City property is never used to facilitate unlawful civil immigration enforcement. Chicago’s message is clear: everyone living here deserves safety, dignity, and respect.”
“U.S. Border Control and ICE are disregarding local ordinances and violating the very constitutional rights that protect every person in this country – regardless of immigration status,” said IDA Leadership Genie Kastrup. “Chicago is a proud sanctuary city, yet federal agents are creating chaos and fear in communities that simply want to work and provide for their families. We are working closely with city leadership to act swiftly to ensure no one is targeted or intimidated while doing their job, and to hold federal agencies accountable to the same laws and constitutional protections that govern us all.”
“We are witnessing an alarming escalation of operations that prioritize fear and disruption over fairness and due process. This aggressive stance is not about public safety; it is about political posturing achieved at the expense of human dignity,” said IDA Leadership Ronnie Gonzalez. “Rideshare drivers, many of whom are immigrants, are being harassed and intimidated while doing their jobs. Policies and procedures need to be followed, as we are a country based on the rule of law. These are not just feel-good sentiments; they are cornerstones of our legal system and our constitution.”