Chicago Volunteers Patrol Little Village Streets, Warn Neighbors of ICE Activity

The "ICE Breakers" group uses whistles and social media to alert residents when federal immigration agents are spotted in the area.

Feb. 11, 2026 at 11:47am

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In Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, a group of young volunteers known as the "ICE Breakers" is patrolling the streets and using whistles and social media to warn residents when they spot federal immigration agents in the area. The group, which has nearly 200 volunteers, says it relies on community tips and aims to prevent families from being separated.

Why it matters

The presence of immigration enforcement in the predominantly Latino neighborhood of Little Village has created a climate of fear, with residents often afraid to go out. The volunteer patrol group is trying to empower the community and provide early warnings to help families avoid potential detention or deportation.

The details

The "ICE Breakers" group patrols areas where they say immigration agents are often seen, including shopping centers, parking lots, and street corners. When volunteers believe agents are in the area, they blow whistles to alert the neighborhood and send out warnings through social media. The group is led by Baltazar Enriquez, who says the idea for the alert system came from his own childhood when he and his friends used whistles to warn each other about police nearby. Enriquez says the operation is funded by community donations and that the alerts have helped prevent families from being separated.

  • The "ICE Breakers" group patrols the Little Village neighborhood every morning, starting at 5 a.m.

The players

Alexander Garduno

A 19-year-old volunteer who patrols the neighborhood every morning, motivated by fear in his own home.

Ella Bueno

A college student volunteer who says she has had tense encounters with immigration agents while on patrol.

Baltazar Enriquez

The leader of the "ICE Breakers" group, who says the idea for the alert system came from his own childhood when he and his friends used whistles to warn each other about police nearby.

Little Village Community Council

The organization that is looking for more volunteers to join the "ICE Breakers" group.

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What they’re saying

“Every single day I wake up at 5 a.m. and patrol. They worry about going out — especially my stepdad.”

— Alexander Garduno, Volunteer (fox32chicago.com)

“They pointed guns at me. They pepper sprayed me.”

— Ella Bueno, Volunteer (fox32chicago.com)

What’s next

The Little Village Community Council is looking for more volunteers to join the "ICE Breakers" group. People can also make a donation by phone or in person to support the group's efforts.

The takeaway

The "ICE Breakers" volunteer group in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood is taking a proactive approach to empowering their community and providing early warnings about the presence of immigration enforcement agents. This grassroots effort highlights the fear and uncertainty many immigrant families face, and the lengths community members are willing to go to protect their loved ones.