Grab your virtual masks 🕸️ because Saturday’s Halloween vibes in Chicago’s Old Irving Park turned into a scene straight out of an action movie! Federal agents rolled in ahead of the local Halloween parade, deploying tear gas and making multiple arrests. Tensions over the Trump administration’s new deportation drive reached a boiling point, sparking protests across the neighborhood.
What went down? Around mid-afternoon, federal agents swooped in on Old Irving Park – a cozy spot known for its annual Halloween block party. Neighbors say tear gas grenades sent stinging smoke into the streets, and many people without official documents (no visas or green cards) were picked up, although they had no criminal records.
Why should you care? This crackdown is part of a nationwide push by the administration to tighten immigration enforcement. For tech-savvy, socially conscious youth from South and Southeast Asia, it’s a reminder of similar debates at home about migrants’ rights and border control. Whether it’s discussions on refugee camps in Malaysia or visa policies in India’s IT hubs, the core question remains: how do we treat people without legal status?
Community response Neighbors and local activists wasted no time blowing up TikTok and Twitter with footage of the chaos 📱✊. Solidarity messages poured in from as far away as Delhi’s student unions and Jakarta’s human rights groups. "This is about justice, no matter where we live," said one protester, echoing sentiments we often see in social movements from Mumbai to Manila.
As Halloween approaches, Old Irving Park residents are planning peaceful sit-ins and community forums to discuss immigrant rights. It’s a reminder that even amid tear gas and arrests, grassroots action and digital solidarity can drive change. Stay tuned as we follow how this story unfolds! 🚀
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
