Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
The show must go on.
A story of amazing resilience has emerged out of Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood: it’s of one couple, Ofelia Herrera and Rafael Hernandez, who refused to alter their daily routines even when Border Patrol agents swarmed the area on a recent Saturday morning.
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As reported by AP News, Herrera, 47, and Hernandez, 44, are in the United States illegally, but they opened their food stand just blocks away from where the agents were operating. They serve delicious Mexican-style corn on the cob and refreshing aguas frescas flavored with cucumber, pineapple, and strawberry. Sirens were blaring through the chaotic day as Chicago police confronted demonstrators who were responding to a Border Patrol call for help.
The couple says working isn’t just about paying the bills; it’s about avoiding depression.. Herrera explained her faith-based approach, saying, “The only thing you can do is have faith in God and not be afraid.” She strongly believes that fear leads to other problems. “Fear gives way to depression and other things,” she noted in an interview. Hernandez agreed, noting, “We know people who have fallen into depression. They don’t leave the house. It’s very sad.”
This enforcement blitz has been ongoing since early September, and it’s had a serious impact on the community. Many people without legal status have stayed home for over two months. You’ve even got U.S. citizens of Latino heritage who are too afraid to go outside. Sidewalk traffic on the bustling 26th Street is still lively, but the fear has sparked a grassroots effort to buy out street vendors early just so they can avoid public exposure.
For Herrera and Hernandez, the community fear translates directly to their bottom line. Sales have plummeted about 75% since the Trump administration began “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago. Like almost everyone they know, their phones constantly alert them to warnings about where immigration officers are making arrests and where they should stay away.
Despite the administration vowing they are pursuing “the worst of the worst,” Hernandez pointed out that it appears authorities are arresting “everyone.” The data support this: more than 70% of people in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody during the 12-month period through September were not convicted of a crime in the U.S.
The couple’s stand, which is adorned with American flags, is right in the heart of Little Village. They admit they have thought about trying to obtain legal status, but they feel they don’t have a strong case and certainly couldn’t afford an attorney. They have obtained Illinois driver’s licenses and consistently paid taxes. Hernandez summed up their commitment perfectly: “Chicago is marvelous. There are many opportunities for those of us who are immigrants.”
While they want to stay in Chicago, they are prepared to return to Mexico if they are arrested, and they would bring their American citizen children with them. Herrera speaks for many when she says, “We don’t want to go to Mexico but, if we have to, we will. What else is there to do?” Their resilience is truly inspiring.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
Published: Nov 21, 2025 05:00 pm