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A popular elderly tamale vendor, known in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, was arrested Tuesday morning by federal immigration agents, according to his daughter and witnesses.
Federico Diaz, who has lived in Chicago for approximately 20 years, was taken into custody while selling his tamales near 47th Street and Hermitage Avenue.
His daughter, Alejandra Diaz, told reporters that her father relies on the income from selling tamales to “humbly make a living,” despite recent heart problems.
Witnesses described Mr. Diaz as “elderly” and “fragile.”
Witnesses near the scene reported seeing agents in a white SUV after the arrest, which left the vendor’s cart, tamales, and champurrado behind.
Neighbors used car horns and whistles in an attempt to alert the community.
The arrest of the respected community figure is part of the ongoing federal immigration enforcement activity reported across Chicago and the suburbs Tuesday.
Other Targeted Activities
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Teamsters Picket Line: Agents also targeted a Teamsters Local 705 picket line near Midway International Airport at 5507 S. Archer Ave. An attorney for the union confirmed that Border Patrol agents showed up and requested identification from the workers, many of whom are immigrants. No workers were believed to have been detained at the picket line.
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Cicero Walmart: A separate arrest appeared to take place in a Walmart parking lot in Cicero, according to reports from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and a social media video.
The incidents follow statements from the Department of Homeland Security confirming “Operation Midway Blitz” is ongoing in the Chicago area.
