Chicago’s North Side Communities Mobilize Amid Rising ICE Activity

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been sighted across Chicago’s Northside. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor (N2N) program emerged as part of ONE Northside’s rapid response efforts after increased ICE activity caused fear and disruption across neighborhoods like Rogers Park and Edgewater.

ONE Northside’s community safety and youth organizer Tharina Oris said ONE Northside has mobilized to offer support, share information and monitor activity. The intergenerational organization’s mission extends across three organizing efforts: housing, safety and economic justice.

Efforts include N2N solidarity through education like “Know Your Rights” training and canvassing, resource distribution and information sharing in collaboration with groups such as the Family Support Hotline, Organized Communities Against Deportations and Illinois’ Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. 

As the Community Safety and Youth Organizer, Oris helps coordinate the N2N program by connecting local institutions, residents and volunteers to ensure vulnerable neighbors receive the support they need during and after recent heightened ICE activity, which extends across North Side neighborhoods from Rogers Park to Lakeview. 

The Phoenix previously reported increased ICE presence close to campus, including sightings in Rogers Park and Lincoln Square. The Phoenix has reported over a dozen sightings since Oct. 12.

Following reports of ICE sightings and detainments across Edgewater and Uptown, Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48th)  released a statement condemning the actions of federal agents while affirming her commitment to collective safety. 

Manaa-Hoppenworth wrote in an email to The Phoenix that her office has been working with community organizations to ensure residents know their rights and have access to safety resources. Together with local partners, the alderwoman’s office distributed “Know Your Rights” materials, co-hosted educational events and helped coordinate the launch of N2N in Edgewater and Uptown. 

Manaa-Hoppenworth said that N2N would help strengthen the city’s rapid response infrastructure, reduce interaction between vulnerable community members to federal agents and help build connections and relationships across neighborhoods and organizations.

“I think ONE North Side is helping build safety infrastructure that can last long after this moment,” Oris said. “We’re helping people get through their daily lives now — feeding their families, sending kids to school, not going hungry — but we’re also building durable community systems that will keep each other safe in the future.” 

For second-year environmental engineering and mathematics student Charlize Rodriguez, the work of ONE Northside represents a bridge between Chicago and Loyola Students. 

“The initiative itself represents community engagement and welcomes volunteers — students or people from all walks of life,” Rodriguez said. “It shows how individuals, even if they aren’t part of big organizations, can still contribute their time to tasks both small and large.” 

Launched in collaboration with public schools, faith communities and neighborhood organizations, N2N functions as a non-profit volunteer-based organization connecting residents to share resources, coordinate safety responses and provide practical support such as grocery shopping or childcare, according to their website. 

Oris said part of her role within the organization was moderating community group chats and connecting leads from local institutions. 

“For example, a parent from a school might hear about another student who needs help and pass that along,” Oris said. “Then, that request is shared in our neighborhood chat, and representatives or allies from other institutions can step in to help.” 

To protect participants, N2N uses a vetting process to confirm volunteers are safe to work with vulnerable populations

“We screen volunteers to make sure they’re trustworthy,” Rodriguez said. “Our process involves short phone interviews to confirm volunteers’ identities, understand their motivations and learn which neighborhoods they are connected to.”

Once approved, volunteers are placed into neighborhood-specific groups where they can directly respond to requests for help or resources. 

Oris said that even in its early stages, N2N has already had a tangible impact on its community.

“While the program is still new, within the first week we raised $15,000 to support some of our most vulnerable community members — helping them pay rent and buy groceries,” Oris said. “It brings me joy that in moments of crisis, people have really opened their hearts and their doors to their neighbors.” 

Oris said she believes crisis can be the thing which creates long-lasting change with people putting their bodies on the line to protect others from ICE.

“Someone said early on, ‘They don’t know who they messed with — Chicago is the most organized city in the world,’” Oris said. “I see that play out every single day.” 

For Loyola students, opportunities to get involved with these community efforts extend beyond volunteering. 

Rodriguez said programs like the Social Justice Internship Program helped connect her with local organizations such as ONE Northside, where she was drawn in due to their commitment to accessible housing, community safety and immigration. 

Loyola students can apply through the Center for Experiential Learning for the Social Justice Internship Program, a year-long placement with Chicago nonprofits like ONE Northside. Thirteen students are selected through a competitive process and receive $4,000 in grant funding toward tuition. 

“Engagement doesn’t have to be constant, it can be as simple as sharing education, volunteering for N2N tasks, attending meetings or pursuing something deeper like an internship,” Rodriguez said.  “Even small actions make a difference, even if they’re overlooked sometimes.”

Oris said building community power requires both courage and connection, especially from college students. 

“I’m always excited to give young people the opportunity to take charge of their own communities and learn the skills they need to make change,” Oris said. “At ONE Northside, we don’t claim to be experts — the people in the community are and my role is simply to give them the tools to bring about what they want to see.” 

When it comes to getting engaged in community activism, Oris said mistakes are a part of the process. 

“Every organizer makes mistakes, that’s how we learn,” Oris said. “However, when you overstep it is because you aren’t listening. As long as you approach communities with grace and humility, you’ll be okay.” 

Her advice is to find community, stay bold and stay connected. 

“Reach out, grab a coffee with me, and get involved,” she said. “Connecting with people is my favorite part of this work — building power together is what I care about most.”

Students can learn more or sign up to volunteer through ONE Northside’s website, reach Oris at toris@onenorthside.org or attend upcoming events such as ONE Northside’s Town Hall Nov. 16 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. where they will discuss next steps regarding safety, housing and solidarity efforts. 

“Our community is strong — bolstered by networks of people and organizations that truly care for one another — and it’s our community that keeps us safe,” Manaa-Hoppenworth wrote.