Amid rising fears of federal immigration sweeps, Chicago college students are documenting sightings of enforcement agents near campuses, using interactive maps and collaboration with local news outlets to provide verified information and counter rumors.
Community members monitor enforcement and share information.
Chicago: At Loyola University Chicago, student journalists are taking on a new role. Junior reporters Julia Pentasuglio and Ella Daugherty, along with editor-in-chief Lilli Malone, are updating a Google map to track sightings of federal immigration agents around campus and nearby neighborhoods. Each pin marks a confirmed location where immigration enforcement activity has occurred, providing students and residents with real-time, verified information.
The project emerged after a wave of fear spread on campus under the current administration, which has ordered aggressive immigration enforcement in cities with large foreign-born populations. Students witnessed vans moving down side streets and masked agents making arrests, often through dormitory windows. The map allows the community to distinguish verified events from rumors and helps residents gauge areas of potential risk.
In early September, the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, sending armed Border Patrol agents and using tear gas in some operations. Local officials criticized the raids, and Illinois introduced a law allowing residents to sue federal agents for civil rights violations. DHS maintains that their operations target violent criminals and reports more than 4,300 arrests so far.
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The fear was heightened months before the raids when a U.S. Census official visited dorms, sparking false rumors of immigration enforcement. Loyola, known for welcoming students without legal status including DACA recipients, felt a particular responsibility to provide clarity. The student reporters began adding pins to a Google map, confirming locations with photos, videos, and multiple witnesses.
The trend of student mapping is not limited to Loyola. At the University of Chicago, The Maroon built a tracker using reports from social media platforms. DePaul University’s campus newspaper, the DePaulia, also relies on tips from students and community members. Jake Cox, a student intern at Block Club Chicago, created a WhatsApp channel with over 3,200 followers sharing sightings, news updates, and legal resources.
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The initiative reflects a broader collaborative effort among journalists in Chicago. Independent outlets and major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, share tips, story leads, and verified sources to improve accuracy and safety. The scale of immigration coverage has encouraged reporters to move away from traditional competition and prioritize verified reporting over being first.
Beyond journalism, local residents have mobilized to monitor ICE activity, including tracking unmarked vans, forming informal checkpoints, and filming enforcement operations to ensure accountability. These efforts are supported by students and independent reporters, creating a network of information and safety for the immigrant community.
Chicago journalists say that collaboration across outlets is now essential to cover immigration effectively. Tribune editors highlight that while being first is still valued, accuracy and community impact take priority. The interactive maps and communication channels are examples of how student reporters and local news groups are adapting to new challenges.
