These days, even the faintest hint of ICE agents being nearby can create an instant wave of fear in many communities. While most people’s instinct is to avoid these situations entirely, two teenagers from Chicago, Illinois, decided to respond in a very different way. Instead of running from ICE agents, they began using their free time to track ICE activity in the Chicago suburbs. Armed with phones and body cameras, the brothers said their goal was not to interfere, but to document what was happening and to record the names of people who were detained. According to them, there have been many cases where families were left in the dark after a loved one was unexpectedly taken into custody, unsure of where they had been transferred or what would happen next.
The Chicago teens also claimed that, contrary to certain public statements made by political leaders, many of the people they saw being targeted by ICE agents did not appear to have violent records or present an immediate threat. From their perspective, this raised serious ethical and humanitarian concerns. They felt that documenting these encounters was one small way of providing transparency and giving families at least some information to hold onto during a frightening and uncertain time.
In one video circulated online, the teens can be seen being confronted by ICE agents who appeared unhappy about being recorded. The agents reportedly told them to stop filming and to leave the area. The teens responded by stating that they were not interfering with any operations and were standing in a public space, exercising their right to observe and record. They mentioned that this was not the first time something like this had happened, and that on previous occasions, they had even felt intimidated by the way officers positioned their vehicles around them.
Despite the tension, the teens described the threats from ICE agents as “empty” and said they believed they had not violated any laws. They acknowledged that they might still be detained one day, but felt that any charges brought against them would likely not hold up in court. One of the brothers also made a striking comment, stating that he believed part of the reason they were able to continue doing what they were doing was because they were white, and that they wanted to use that privilege, in their words, to “do the right thing” and stand alongside more vulnerable members of their community.
Perhaps most surprising to many people was the fact that their parents supported them. Although naturally worried about their safety, their family reportedly felt that remaining silent while neighbors and friends were being targeted was not an option. They viewed the situation in Chicago as a warning sign of what could potentially happen in other parts of the country if people did not pay attention or speak out.
Online, many people praised the brothers for their actions. Commenters described them as brave, compassionate, and unusually aware for their age. One user simply wrote, “Benevolent, young men.” Another added, “This is the kind of uplifting news that needs to be shared. People standing up for others, even when it’s uncomfortable or scary, is something we don’t see enough of in the mainstream media.”
