Immigration News Briefing: November 21-26, 2025
The Big Picture
The consequences of enforcement are mounting. As Homeland Security shifted resources toward immigration enforcement, child trafficking arrests and rescues have plummeted to their lowest levels in five years, with indictments for child exploitation crimes down 28% and child victims identified or rescued down 17%. Meanwhile, drug arrests fell by about 11%, narcotics investigations dropped by 15%, and weapons seizures declined by 73% as special agents were reassigned from complex criminal investigations to civil immigration enforcement. We are poorer and less safe because of these enforcement decisions.
The courts are pushing back—sometimes. A federal judge blocked the IRS from sharing taxpayer home address information with ICE for deportation purposes, after the IRS had already disclosed over 47,000 records. Vital data continues to be shared by the Trump administration regarding citizens and non-citizens alike. In California, a federal judge ordered that the Trump administration cannot impose mandatory detention on thousands of immigrants without first giving them opportunity for bond hearings. But victories remain fragile: a federal appeals court paused a Chicago judge's injunction restricting immigration agents' use of force, calling it "overbroad."
Public opinion is turning. Nearly three-quarters of Latinos (70%) disapprove of Trump's job performance, 65% disapprove of his immigration approach, and 78% believe his policies harm Hispanics. Even among those who support border enforcement, the interior tactics prove unpopular: while 60% of immigrants support Trump's border enforcement efforts, support drops to just 42% for increased deportations. About half of U.S. Latinos now worry they or someone close to them might be deported, and 43% are concerned about being asked to prove their legal status during daily activities.
Economic impacts deepen. International student enrollment dropped dramatically at Illinois universities** this fall, with DePaul seeing a 62% decline in new international graduate students and Lewis University a 37% drop. The enrollment decline is a major issue for local universities which have already been under significant financial strain. The oldest brewing school in the U.S. is relocating from Chicago to Montreal, citing visa restrictions. Just the latest sign of the substantial economic impact of a restrictive and regressive immigration and visa policy.
Recent Stories
Chicago Developments
Federal judge issues scathing rebuke. Judge Sara Ellis released a 233-page ruling finding that federal immigration agents repeatedly lied and misled the public during Operation Midway Blitz, citing evidence of unnecessary force against peaceful protesters and false statements by officials that were contradicted by their own video evidence. The ruling revealed that Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino's accounts were "outright lying," with body camera footage showing agents using force without justification and, in one case, generating a use-of-force report with ChatGPT. He's as unhinged as we all thought. Even more troubling, ICE reported that surveillance footage from the Broadview Detention Center was "irretrievably destroyed" in a "system crash" the day after an abuse lawsuit was filed. ICE continues to act as a rogue agency with no respect for the courts or the law.
Hundreds of detainees in limbo. After a federal judge ordered the release of more than 400 people detained during Operation Midway Blitz on $1,500 bond, finding most arrests violated a consent decree, an appeals court temporarily halted the releases pending arguments scheduled for December 2. A terrible see-saw of emotions for affected families, desperate to see their loved ones again. Immigration advocates launched a fundraising campaign to help pay bonds, worried the Trump administration is using court delays to pressure detainees into signing voluntary departure agreements.
The human toll continues. A 12-year-old Chicago girl named Delila was left in the care of her half-sister after her father, her only living parent, was detained by immigration agents on the North Side, highlighting the growing issue of children being abruptly separated from parents with no formal federal system to track or support minors left behind. What are we doing here. Meanwhile, child care workers are organizing detailed protection plans with families, developing legal guardianship arrangements and emergency contacts after the removal of federal protections for child care centers as "sensitive locations." It's so bleak when we are turning to child care workers to defend themselves and their kids from the Federal government.
Building community capacity. Chicago residents can now report suspected immigration enforcement violations online through a new city portal. Local institutions continue building capacity to respond to future federal immigration raids. Violence intervention groups in Chicago, traditionally focused on preventing gun violence, have expanded their efforts to protect communities from aggressive ICE raids, collaborating with immigration organizations to educate residents about their rights, document ICE actions, and provide direct aid such as legal clinics and mutual assistance. An amazing story about how Chicago's long tradition of "Community Violence Intervention" is keeping Chicagoans safe from their own government. Chicago activists are sharing their blueprint for resisting Border Patrol operations nationwide, emphasizing rapid response tactics, legal actions, and community organizing. Chicago has become a national example—this should be a source of pride, but will likely also make us a target for the administration.
Institutional responses evolve. The Cook County Board approved a $10.12 billion budget that nearly doubles the number of attorneys in the public defender's immigration bureau to 15 lawyers. The increase in funding is a big win for immigration advocates, particularly our partners at The Resurrection Project, who had been fighting for this for years and will continue fighting to fully resource representation for all. Rep. Lauren Underwood toured the Broadview ICE facility and reported that her serious concerns about inadequate conditions were confirmed, noting a lack of medical staff, insufficient privacy, and limited sanitary supplies. Plans are underway to expand the facility and triple its staff by January.
Community pushback grows. Residents of the South Shore apartment building raided in September have formed a union demanding repairs and relocation assistance. Community pushback and organizing is on the uptick as people lose faith in an official response. At least 15 longtime street vendors with no criminal history have been detained, prompting neighbors to raise emergency funds and organize support. Small businesses continue struggling, with some restaurants reporting 60% sales drops. One couple of street vendors in Little Village refuses to alter their routines despite the risks, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of ongoing enforcement pressure.
Accountability efforts face obstacles. Governor Pritzker expanded the Illinois Accountability Commission to investigate alleged abuses by federal agents, with initial reports due in early 2026. Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss charges against a woman shot by a Border Patrol agent—another federal case against a protester falling apart as their lies become apparent. Federal charges were also dropped against a 70-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran accused of assaulting federal agents during Broadview protests. A Border Patrol agent who shot a Chicago woman sent text messages bragging about his marksmanship, and more texts have now been uncovered and turned over to defense attorneys.
The Texas National Guard's expensive field trip ends. Senator Dick Durbin reported the deployment cost taxpayers nearly $20 million $20M to do nothing—despite the troops never being used after a federal judge blocked the operation. Illinois National Guard members were housed at a state training site in Marseilles and largely remained inactive due to ongoing legal disputes.
Signs of slow recovery and ongoing impact. A Latina-owned bilingual playroom in Logan Square needs help staying open** after a raid involving tear gas on their block caused business to plummet. For businesses and individuals, the end of the raids is not the end of their impact. Educators are working to reassure students and families amid heightened fears, with attendance rates dropping 1.25 percentage points after news of immigration sweeps became public.
Remembering a champion. Sister JoAnn Persch, who held weekly prayer vigils outside the Broadview ICE facility for years, died at 91. She and Sister Pat Murphy, who died earlier this summer at 96, were steadfast advocates for immigrants and refugees.
Political implications. Immigrant protection is becoming a major variable in the 9th district congressional race, with candidates emphasizing their organizing against federal immigration operations. Meanwhile, there are worrying signs we are teetering on the edge of widespread political violence as threats against federal judges overseeing immigration-related cases increase sharply. The violence is all across the political spectrum. A Chicago man was charged with threatening State Senator Andrew Chesney after Chesney made critical remarks about Governor Pritzker's immigration policies.
Everyone is paranoid now. Immigration agencies denied responsibility for mysterious drones spotted in Wheeling, with residents reporting large, loud aircraft equipped with cameras hovering near homes. ICE can't be trusted, and it is putting everyone on edge.
Interfaith efforts for solidarity. FaithBridge hosted an interfaith Thanksgiving program in Crystal Lake, with leaders from Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism reflecting on gratitude and the importance of welcoming strangers and caring for immigrants.
The Chicago Tribune continues to keep its story tracker up to date. It's a great reference tool.
Right-Wing Media Narratives
Legislative push for moratorium. Rep. Chip Roy introduced the PAUSE Act, proposing a halt to all legal immigration admissions and visa issuances until federal immigration reforms are enacted. Human Events argued that "mass immigration is national suicide," calling for cuts to H-1B visas and ramped-up deportations—language that echoes the eugenicist nationalism that formed the foundation of fascism.
The hypocrisy deepens. When DHS Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned the administration had sped up legal immigration, prominent MAGA media figures immediately melted down. Meanwhile, POLITICO examined lobbying efforts to expand the H-2B seasonal worker visa program, highlighting Trump's extensive use of these visas at his properties despite opposition from immigration hard-liners. The contradiction is clear: this isn't about immigration reform at all—it's about undercutting the labor market while maintaining access to exploitable workers for business interests.
Additional National Developments
Protected status continues to erode. The Trump administration ended Temporary Protected Status for nearly 4,000 Burmese nationals, effective January 26, citing improved conditions in Myanmar.
Religious leaders continue speaking out. Pope Leo XIV called the Trump administration "extremely disrespectful" to immigrants, urging humane treatment with due process. Vice President J.D. Vance defended the administration's immigration policies, stating they align with Catholic Church teachings. The Catholic war on immigration policy continues with admin officials responding to Church criticism. A Catholic priest from Chicago is walking from Illinois to New York City to protest inhumane immigration enforcement practices. A Catholic advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging immigration authorities unlawfully blocked their access to minister to detainees at the Broadview ICE facility.
Immigration courts as deportation traps. Immigrants attending what they believed were routine court hearings have been targeted for immediate arrest and deportation, with proceedings now closely coordinated with federal agents. The administration has fired dozens of immigration judges deemed too lenient and cut legal aid programs.
New operations expand. DHS announced that immigration enforcement operations in Charlotte will continue, with over 250 arrests so far. Internal DHS documents reveal that fewer than one-third of those arrested by Border Patrol in Charlotte were classified as having criminal records, contradicting administration claims. The next phase will target New Orleans, where federal officers expect to make around 5,000 apprehensions starting December 1.
Surveillance state expands. The U.S. Border Patrol operates a secretive surveillance program monitoring millions of American drivers using license plate readers and predictive algorithms, with cameras watching drivers near Chicago and other major cities. We are all giving up our freedoms to enable this dragnet. DHS is also attempting to unmask social media accounts that monitor ICE agents, with Senator Ron Wyden accusing the department of abusing customs law to suppress criticism.
DACA recipients under threat. Several DACA recipients have been arrested as part of intensified immigration enforcement, with some cases involving individuals targeted for social media activity.
Education sector feels the impact. Student fear and absences have surged nationwide as major immigration arrest campaigns took place, with surveys showing increased fear and anxiety among children from immigrant families interfering with learning and engagement.
Justice Department developments. The DOJ dropped immigration-related restrictions for states' domestic violence services, allowing states to use federal funds to support all survivors regardless of immigration status. The most punitive and harmful immigration policies continue to get rolled back by the courts, but much of the damage has already been done. Meanwhile, a former Justice Department lawyer who spoke out about the Trump administration's aggressive deportation maneuvers has joined Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy group challenging those same policies.
This briefing was prepared by Herrera Strategy and covers developments from November 21-26, 2025. For the most current information on what to do and how to stay safe, please visit our partners at www.trpimmigrantjustice.org or www.illinoisimmigrationinfo.org.
