Concerns Loom Over Safety at Chicago Marathon Amid Immigration Crackdown

Sun Oct 12 2025 19:02:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Participants express fears regarding potential ICE enforcement at the Chicago Marathon as immigration tensions rise.

As the Chicago Marathon approaches, participants like Michael Guidotti express concerns over possible ICE enforcement targeting Hispanic and other minority runners. Despite ICE's denial of planned operations at the event, anxieties remain high, leading to warnings about safety and encouraging participants to remain vigilant. City leaders and local community members fear that the crackdown may deter visitors and impact local businesses, casting a shadow over what should be a celebration of athleticism and community.

Michael Guidotti will have his driver’s license with him while running the Chicago Marathon, just like he has during every training run since summer.

Amid an intensified immigration crackdown both in Chicago and across the nation, runners like Guidotti harbor fears of becoming targets during the race. Just knowing that I do come from a Hispanic background and that I am somewhat darker makes me anxious about being singled out, he stated. So I’m holding onto my driver's license just as a precaution.

Events surrounding the race have sparked questions regarding whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be present during the marathon, an event that attracts thousands of international participants. In response to growing concerns, organizers circulated an email containing a link to the city's immigration Know Your Rights page.

An ICE spokesperson dismissed rumors, stating that it is absolutely ridiculous to suggest that enforcement would disrupt an event meant for celebration. However, for many participants and spectators, assurances have done little to quell their anxieties.

With the backdrop of an increasingly tense immigration climate, even those largely unaffected feel a heightened sense of vulnerability. Amar Shah, a runner of Indian descent, expressed his worries about being a target despite his legal status: I know that I shouldn’t worry, but as a brown man with a beard, I can't help but feel exposed.

Local community leaders, such as Michael Rodriguez, the alderman for a district with a significant Latino population, voiced their concerns about the economic repercussions of the marathon. With worries about safety potentially leading participants to stay home, he noted, The marathon might lead to less economic activity, affecting hotels and local businesses that thrive on such events. Mayor Brandon Johnson, however, remains optimistic about the event, welcoming visitors with open arms and reassuring the public that security measures are in place.

As the marathon unfolds, the tension between the jubilant spirit of the event and the pressing concerns of safety and immigration remains palpable.