In brief
Michael Guidotti and other participants share their anxieties regarding potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence during the Chicago Marathon, amid a backdrop of intensified immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration. Despite officials from ICE dismissing the rumors as unfounded, many runners from diverse ethnic backgrounds are taking extra precautions. Local leaders express concerns over the impact on community morale and economic activity, while Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasizes security measures to ensure a smooth event.
Michael Guidotti will have his driver’s license on him when he runs the Chicago Marathon, just as he did during every training run since summer.
After the Trump administration escalated its immigration crackdown in the city, runners like Guidotti, 31, are worried they could become a target during Sunday’s race.
“Just knowing that I do come from a Hispanic background and also that I am somewhat darker, and that these individuals do seem to be targeting people of that demographic as well,” Guidotti said. “So it’s just an extra precaution that I’m taking that I have my driver’s license with me at all times.”
Concerns have escalated regarding whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents might target the marathon, which draws thousands of runners globally each year. Reflecting the unease, event organizers sent an email to participants Wednesday that referred to an immigration Know Your Rights page on the city’s website.
An ICE spokeswoman, Tanya Roman, stated that rumors of agents attending the race are false, calling it absolutely ridiculous. Nonetheless, some participants find such assurances insufficient.
Amar Shah, 31, raised in Chicago but concerned about his Indian heritage, expressed: “I shouldn’t have any concerns from a legality standpoint, but I am a brown man. I have a beard. I could be seen as someone who fits the stereotype of folks who are being targeted right now.”
Local leaders like Michael Rodriguez, an alderman for a large Latino community, also express anxiety, noting that businesses could suffer as concerns loom over ICE activity during the marathon.
This year, Chicago’s annual marathon, a major tourism event with over 52,150 finishers last year, faces potential decreases in participation, especially among locals. While Mayor Brandon Johnson voiced confidence in managing the marathon's security, community leaders worry about the long-term impacts on local morale and economic activity.
