All across the nation, people are reporting incidents of racial profiling by ICE agents. Many of these incidents are happening to legal citizens who happen to have darker skin. On October 9th, a citizen working in Chicago, Illinois, experienced just that. Upon arrival at his job, ICE agents stopped and questioned him, then asked him to prove U.S. citizenship.
A Latina woman known as Yuni on her TikTok channel described what her brother endured. When he arrived at his place of employment, two ICE agents stopped him. They asked for identification, which he had left in his car.
They then asked Yuni’s brother if he was a United States citizen. The Chicago resident answered (yes) truthfully. After further questioning, the agents let him go, which hasn’t always been the case for other legal citizens whom ICE has decided to stop.
Yuni shared her brother’s story, including a very short clip he recorded, to point out some details that shook her:
You guys saw – they’re disguising themselves as construction workers. They had neon clothing, and they had a straw hat. That’s just horrible… They’re just trying to blend in so that people don’t know it’s them.
True to her words, viewers were shown the footage of an incognito agent. While the Chicago man outside the vehicle wore a full ICE uniform, the driver of the car did not. He was in a neon shirt, the same kind employers require manual laborers wear on the job. The video also revealed a straw hat on the car’s front dashboard.
Chicago Woman Suggests Ways to Avoid ICE Agents
Yuni also wanted people to be aware the ICE agents aren’t mincing words. They cut straight to the point. She fears for any illegal immigrants who are being put on the spot by disguised agents. “Honestly, if you’re not a U.S. citizen, do not go outside,” the Chicago TikToker warns anyone watching her clip. She’s urging them to utilize online help for things like grocery delivery.
“They’re everywhere,” she tells her viewers. Sadly, many immigrants still need to make a living. Staying well-hidden may not be an option.
Naturally, people were bothered by Yuni’s TikTok footage. Racial profiling affects all U.S. states, not just Chicago and surrounding areas. Yet not every person who commented seemed to be on board with Yuni’s pleas for immigrants or darker-skinned persons to keep ample distance between them and ICE agents.
One viewer boldly commented, “I hope they violate my rights so I can sue the hell out of them when the dust settles.” While a matter of opinion, there are valid arguments for both fear and courage right now.
