A Chicago street vendor couple has a defiant response to immigration arrests: Stick to the routine
November 21, 2025
Ofelia Herrera and Rafael Hernandez have refused to alter their routines as street food vendors during an immigration enforcement blitz in Chicago that has caused many without legal status to stay home since it began in early September. The couple says working is necessary not just to pay bills but to avoid depression. Many immigrants in the country illegally are loathe to speak with reporters, fearful that it may lead to being deported. Herrera and Hernandez say they are eager to share their story publicly to foster understanding of how the Trump administration’s push for mass deportations is playing out.