Erika Slife
@eslife.bsky.social
Senior content editor for breaking/emerging news at the Chicago Tribune.
Reposted by Erika Slife
Photos from St. Paul today captured by MPR photojournalist Kerem Yücel. He filed them even after being hospitalized after being injured by a less lethal munition.
November 26, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Photos from St. Paul today captured by MPR photojournalist Kerem Yücel. He filed them even after being hospitalized after being injured by a less lethal munition.
Díaz, a US citizen, told agents they could check his ID and Social Security card that he’s carried in his wallet since hearing about immigration raids in LA earlier this year. After about five minutes, he said an agent put the cards back in his wallet and threw it on the ground and walked away.
Latino US citizens racially profiled by federal immigration agents in Chicago: ‘I felt like a piece of trash’
The Tribune spoke to U.S. citizens and green card holders who have either been questioned or detained during Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Díaz, a US citizen, told agents they could check his ID and Social Security card that he’s carried in his wallet since hearing about immigration raids in LA earlier this year. After about five minutes, he said an agent put the cards back in his wallet and threw it on the ground and walked away.
A judge is scheduled to visit the controversial and secret ICE processing center in Broadview Thursday. Here's what it looked like in 2009.
A look inside the ICE processing center in Broadview
In 2009, the Chicago Tribune got a rare look inside the controversial building that now holds immigration detainees during Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”
www.chicagotribune.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:28 PM
A judge is scheduled to visit the controversial and secret ICE processing center in Broadview Thursday. Here's what it looked like in 2009.
Federal immigration agents part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz” may soon leave Chicago, according to multiple sources who said the controversial mission was rapidly winding down after a contentious two months of enforcement raids that have set the city and suburbs on edge.
Federal Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino and agents said to be leaving Chicago, sources say
Cmdr. Gregory Bovino was expected to depart Chicago within days, while most Border Patrol agents under this command would soon be redeployed elsewhere, three sources told the Tribune Monday.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Federal immigration agents part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Midway Blitz” may soon leave Chicago, according to multiple sources who said the controversial mission was rapidly winding down after a contentious two months of enforcement raids that have set the city and suburbs on edge.
Reposted by Erika Slife
Border Patrol agents posed at "The Bean" for an apparent photo op after a weekend of clashes in Little Village. blockclubchi.co/4oUHKae
November 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Border Patrol agents posed at "The Bean" for an apparent photo op after a weekend of clashes in Little Village. blockclubchi.co/4oUHKae
Reposted by Erika Slife
Here’s video of federal agents doing a drive by pepper spraying that hit a father and his one-year old on Saturday when the Feds were hitting Little Village and Cicero
November 9, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Here’s video of federal agents doing a drive by pepper spraying that hit a father and his one-year old on Saturday when the Feds were hitting Little Village and Cicero
Just another day working as a journalist in Chicago under Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz. Photo by @mandophotos.bsky.social for the @chicagotribune.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Just another day working as a journalist in Chicago under Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz. Photo by @mandophotos.bsky.social for the @chicagotribune.com
Reposted by Erika Slife
Members of the community argue with federal officers during an immigration enforcement action in the Little Village neighborhood Saturday in Chicago.
November 8, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Members of the community argue with federal officers during an immigration enforcement action in the Little Village neighborhood Saturday in Chicago.
Story has been updated. The infant was exposed to pepper spray. Not tear gas.
"The man, the woman, and a few others conferred frantically to figure out who had a driver’s license before they got into a New Life Centers van to go to the hospital."
"The man, the woman, and a few others conferred frantically to figure out who had a driver’s license before they got into a New Life Centers van to go to the hospital."
An infant girl in Chicago was tear gassed this morning by the U.S. government.
Developing story in Little Village.
Follow @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @ckubzansky.bsky.social who are reporting on the ground
Developing story in Little Village.
Follow @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @ckubzansky.bsky.social who are reporting on the ground
Little Village residents confront Bovino, border patrol agents Saturday
Community members once again confronted a convoy of Border Patrol agents led by Cmdr. Gregory Bovino as it moved through Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Story has been updated. The infant was exposed to pepper spray. Not tear gas.
"The man, the woman, and a few others conferred frantically to figure out who had a driver’s license before they got into a New Life Centers van to go to the hospital."
"The man, the woman, and a few others conferred frantically to figure out who had a driver’s license before they got into a New Life Centers van to go to the hospital."
Reposted by Erika Slife
Bovino went into popular Carniceria Aguascalientes in heart of Little Village.
“They said they were just here to buy something,” said Elizabeth Gutierrez. “I told them we wouldn’t serve them and escorted them out. Bovino seemed upset, but I don’t care.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
“They said they were just here to buy something,” said Elizabeth Gutierrez. “I told them we wouldn’t serve them and escorted them out. Bovino seemed upset, but I don’t care.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
Shots fired at immigration agents in Little Village as residents confront Bovino, Border Patrol, authorities say
Community members once again confronted a convoy of Border Patrol agents led by Cmdr. Gregory Bovino as it moved through Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Bovino went into popular Carniceria Aguascalientes in heart of Little Village.
“They said they were just here to buy something,” said Elizabeth Gutierrez. “I told them we wouldn’t serve them and escorted them out. Bovino seemed upset, but I don’t care.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
“They said they were just here to buy something,” said Elizabeth Gutierrez. “I told them we wouldn’t serve them and escorted them out. Bovino seemed upset, but I don’t care.” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
An infant girl in Chicago was tear gassed this morning by the U.S. government.
Developing story in Little Village.
Follow @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @ckubzansky.bsky.social who are reporting on the ground
Developing story in Little Village.
Follow @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @ckubzansky.bsky.social who are reporting on the ground
Little Village residents confront Bovino, border patrol agents Saturday
Community members once again confronted a convoy of Border Patrol agents led by Cmdr. Gregory Bovino as it moved through Chicago’s South Side neighborhoods.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:11 PM
An infant girl in Chicago was tear gassed this morning by the U.S. government.
Developing story in Little Village.
Follow @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @ckubzansky.bsky.social who are reporting on the ground
Developing story in Little Village.
Follow @lauranrodriguez.bsky.social and @ckubzansky.bsky.social who are reporting on the ground
“If Donald Trump thinks that he could come in here and send his police force to hold us down, he’s wrong,” he said. “The whistles are everywhere … this is what we do. The best thing we do in Chicago is organize. So good luck.”
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
Inside Chicago’s growing resistance movement against Operation Midway Blitz: ‘Small acts have huge consequences’
In Chicago, the resistance to President Donald Trump’s mass deportation mission has taken many forms. A movement has grown through acts large and small.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:56 PM
“If Donald Trump thinks that he could come in here and send his police force to hold us down, he’s wrong,” he said. “The whistles are everywhere … this is what we do. The best thing we do in Chicago is organize. So good luck.”
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/c...
"These journalists have been out on the front lines, doing outstanding work under incredibly difficult circumstances,” Executive Editor Mitch Pugh said. “Regardless of what happens on social media, I know I'm grateful for their poise and professionalism, and I think their work speaks for itself."
Trump administration targets Chicago Tribune over ICE coverage
The Chicago newspaper, which has been closely covering ICE and Border Patrol activity here, is the latest media outlet to draw Trump's ire.
www.chicagobusiness.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
"These journalists have been out on the front lines, doing outstanding work under incredibly difficult circumstances,” Executive Editor Mitch Pugh said. “Regardless of what happens on social media, I know I'm grateful for their poise and professionalism, and I think their work speaks for itself."
Trump launched Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago in honor of a young suburban woman who was killed by a man accused of driving drunk while being in the country without the legal paperwork. Last month, one of his ICE agents working Midway Blitz was charged with drunken driving.
‘Doesn’t look good’: ICE agent charged with drunken driving after shift at Broadview detention center
An Immigration and Enforcement agent has been charged with drunken driving after his car crashed after a shift at the Broadview detention center.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Trump launched Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago in honor of a young suburban woman who was killed by a man accused of driving drunk while being in the country without the legal paperwork. Last month, one of his ICE agents working Midway Blitz was charged with drunken driving.
Reposted by Erika Slife
There’s a @briancassella.bsky.social shot for this from just today!!
October 28, 2025 at 7:57 PM
There’s a @briancassella.bsky.social shot for this from just today!!
Reposted by Erika Slife
After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
He was wrongfully imprisoned for 43 years. Moments after being released, ICE took him
Subramanyam “Subu” Vedam now faces deportation.
www.miamiherald.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
After spending 43 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, evidence hidden by the prosecution reversed his conviction. Rather than finally enjoying freedom, ICE abducted him for deportation
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
Depraved.
www.miamiherald.com/news/local/i...
And Now This Forever. #news #fyp #america
TikTok video by Chuck🍀Wiese
www.tiktok.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Reposted by Erika Slife
The Trump administration has asked NASA staffers to draw up plans to end at least two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to current and former NASA employees.
Why a NASA satellite that scientists and farmers rely on may be destroyed on purpose
The Trump administration has asked NASA staffers to draw up plans to end at least two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to current and former NASA employees.
n.pr
August 10, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The Trump administration has asked NASA staffers to draw up plans to end at least two satellite missions that measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to current and former NASA employees.
Reposted by Erika Slife
Chicago: this is the guy, police say, who allegedly spray painted swastikas and ICE rules on buildings in Little Village.
July 26, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Chicago: this is the guy, police say, who allegedly spray painted swastikas and ICE rules on buildings in Little Village.
Reposted by Erika Slife
A rash of vandalism has shaken communities across Chicago, and while residents have mustered support for their affected neighbors, the vandalism reflects a concerning rise in hateful ideologies, experts and advocates said.
Chicago communities recovering from string of hateful defacements
The vandalism represents a concerning increase in hate trickling down from national discourse, experts say.
trib.al
July 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A rash of vandalism has shaken communities across Chicago, and while residents have mustered support for their affected neighbors, the vandalism reflects a concerning rise in hateful ideologies, experts and advocates said.
Reposted by Erika Slife
![The FBI was mentioned multiple times,"
Chavarria said. "They also threatened to stain my record so I would never get a job again. They also threatened with an extended detention if I didn't give them the passwords to the student information or to my district files."
Chavarria said when he was released, a plainclothes officer "shook [his] hand and said that he admired [Chavarria's] resilience and the
fact that [he] was protecting student information." Chavarria said he felt](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yxh5kcse2j4nzffqxin5ps6b/bafkreih6ootfs3o3u7w3qnhd3h6us73d2vtrvik6y7vqilwzyzzaajppdq@jpeg)
Reposted by Erika Slife
“I’m plainly convinced that my situation in this ICE jail is direct retaliation for my coverage,” Mario Guevara told @ajc.com in an exclusive interview from the Folkston, Georgia ICE detention center where he is currently detained, despite a judge's bail order. “I haven’t committed any crimes.”
Hispanic journalist in Atlanta detained by ICE speaks out
Mario Guevara tells the AJC about his month behind bars, and his once positive feelings toward Donald Trump.
www.ajc.com
July 20, 2025 at 1:01 AM
“I’m plainly convinced that my situation in this ICE jail is direct retaliation for my coverage,” Mario Guevara told @ajc.com in an exclusive interview from the Folkston, Georgia ICE detention center where he is currently detained, despite a judge's bail order. “I haven’t committed any crimes.”
Reposted by Erika Slife
People are complicated, part 2. Arpineh Masihi is a devout supporter of President Donald Trump – even now that she's locked up as an illegal immigrant.
"I will support him until the day I die. He's making America great again."
"I will support him until the day I die. He's making America great again."
Detained in immigration raids, Maga mom still has faith in Trump's mass deportation plan
Speaking from a detention facility in California, an Iranian immigrant says she believes "the good people will be released".
www.bbc.com
July 10, 2025 at 11:20 PM
People are complicated, part 2. Arpineh Masihi is a devout supporter of President Donald Trump – even now that she's locked up as an illegal immigrant.
"I will support him until the day I die. He's making America great again."
"I will support him until the day I die. He's making America great again."
Reposted by Erika Slife
The presence of federal agents at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park on Tuesday set off a chain reaction of fear in a community already on edge.
But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the officers weren’t there for immigration enforcement.
But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the officers weren’t there for immigration enforcement.
Federal officers’ presence at Puerto Rican museum draws criticism, stokes deportation fears
Chicago leaders condemned federal agents after their unannounced visit to a Puerto Rican museum in Humboldt Park sparked fear.
trib.al
July 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
The presence of federal agents at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park on Tuesday set off a chain reaction of fear in a community already on edge.
But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the officers weren’t there for immigration enforcement.
But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the officers weren’t there for immigration enforcement.