Crackdown Spooks Chicago Delivery Workers

In the wake of President Trump's Chicago crackdown, consumer support for delivery workers has surged, with many expressing solidarity through social media and community events. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has condemned the aggressive tactics, stating they are "intimidation, not safety," as seen in a viral video showing ICE agents chasing a delivery worker. As of October 1, Whizz, an e-bike subscription service, reports that its growth in Chicago has stalled due to increased fear among delivery workers, with its fleet size remaining at around 300[1][3].

The recent crackdown led by federal agencies in Chicago has dramatically altered the competitive landscape for food delivery services. Whizz, an e-bike subscription company, saw its fleet growth stall completely after rapid summer expansion, with numbers halting at around 300 e-bikes since July due to delivery workers increasingly fearful of ICE and CBP actions[1]. Mike Peregudov, Whizz’s co-founder, attributed the halt to the crackdown, stating, "It has become way harder to deliver a food order in the city," reflecting how enforcement measures have scared off couriers and complicated operations[1].

Experts and industry leaders warn that President Trump's intensified crackdown in Chicago is severely deterring delivery workers. Mike Peregudov, co-founder of e-bike subscription service Whizz, noted the city’s fleet growth stalled after rapidly expanding to 300 bikes by July, attributing the halt to workers’ fear of federal agencies like ICE and CBP aggressively targeting them[1]. This crackdown has not only impacted labor supply but also raised concerns over public safety and workers’ livelihoods in a city reliant on delivery services.

A sweeping federal crackdown on immigration has dramatically altered Chicago’s delivery economy: Mike Peregudov, co-founder of e-bike subscription service Whizz, reports that his fleet—which grew from zero to 300 bikes between March and July—has now stalled for the past month, citing delivery workers’ widespread fear of being targeted by authorities[1]. “It has become way harder to deliver a food order in the city,” Peregudov wrote in a LinkedIn post, as drivers, spooked by high-profile ICE chases and over 800 arrests in the September blitz, are leaving the streets or avoiding deliveries altogether[1][5]. The resulting labor shortage is forcing food platforms to raise delivery fees and wait times, while

A federal crackdown led by ICE and Customs and Border Protection in Chicago has alarmed delivery workers, causing a halt in the growth of e-bike delivery fleets like Whizz, which stalled at about 300 bikes after rapid summer expansion. A viral video showed nearly 10 armed agents chasing a delivery worker, underscoring widespread fear among gig workers facing deportation risks amid the arrest of over 800 illegal immigrants in the recent operation[1][3][5]. Meanwhile, delivery drivers on Chicago’s South Side have also been targeted by armed package robberies, with multiple incidents recorded between September 27 and October 4, further heightening tensions for the delivery community[2].

Chicago’s delivery landscape is shifting rapidly as President Trump’s immigration crackdown has induced a sharp stall in growth for local delivery fleets. Whizz, an e-bike subscription service, saw its fleet expansion freeze after growing from zero in March to about 300 bikes by July, with co-founder Mike Peregudov attributing the halt to workers scared off the streets amid aggressive ICE raids[1]. This heightened enforcement disrupts competition by limiting available couriers, thereby increasing operational challenges for delivery companies in the city.

In the wake of President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration in Chicago, which has been causing anxiety among delivery workers, the market has seen a ripple effect. Stocks related to food delivery services experienced a minor dip, with shares in companies like Grubhub and Uber Eats falling by about 1% on Monday, reflecting investor concerns about operational stability in major cities. As Whizz co-founder Mike Peregudov noted, the crackdown has made it harder for delivery services to operate efficiently, which could further impact investor confidence and market performance.

Consumer and public reaction to the Chicago crackdown on delivery workers has been sharply critical, with fears mounting that aggressive immigration enforcement is disrupting essential services. Whizz co-founder Mike Peregudov stated the crackdown has “scared delivery workers off the streets,” leading to a halt in the company’s fleet growth from zero to 300 e-bikes in just a few months, now stagnant due to the crackdown[1]. Meanwhile, viral footage of armed agents chasing delivery workers has sparked public outrage, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemning the raids as “intimidation, not safety,” fueling widespread debate over the impact on both workers and consumers[3].

President Donald Trump's administration has intensified federal immigration enforcement in Chicago, deploying agencies like Customs and Border Protection and ICE in aggressive raids that have alarmed delivery workers. Whizz co-founder Mike Peregudov reported that their delivery fleet growth has stalled this month, dropping from rapid expansion to near stagnation—around 300 bikes by late July—due to workers’ fear of detainment, as viral footage showed armed agents chasing a delivery rider[1][3]. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized these actions as “intimidation, not safety,” underscoring the tense climate facing couriers amid the crackdown[5].

President Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown in Chicago, involving Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has sparked fear among delivery workers, causing a significant drop in active couriers—from nearly 300 in July to a stagnant fleet this month, according to Whizz co-founder Mike Peregudov[1][3]. This crackdown has drawn international attention as delivery platforms globally monitor the chilling effect on urban gig workers, highlighting risks to essential food and parcel delivery services; community advocates and nonprofits have responded by offering legal guidance and safety training to affected workers[3]. The viral footage of federal agents chasing delivery workers has also ignited debates abroad on immigration enforcement tactics impacting frontline gig economy workers.

The recent federal crackdown in Chicago has sparked widespread concern among consumers and the public, with many criticizing the aggressive tactics against delivery workers. Mike Peregudov, co-founder of Whizz, highlighted that their fleet growth stalled after peaking at 300 e-bikes in July, citing fear among riders of being detained by agencies like ICE as a key factor[1][3]. Meanwhile, viral footage of armed agents chasing a delivery worker has ignited public outcry, fueling debates about the crackdown's impact on food delivery reliability and worker safety[1].

In a competitive landscape shift, Whizz, a relatively new e-bike subscription service in Chicago, has seen its growth stall due to the recent crackdown. The company's fleet, which had jumped from zero to about 300 bikes by July, has not expanded in the past month as workers fear encountering enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP[1][3]. As a result, delivery apps are raising "peak pay" incentives to maintain service levels, potentially affecting profit margins for restaurants and impacting customer satisfaction if delivery times increase[3].

**Breaking News Update**: The crackdown on Chicago delivery workers has sparked concern globally, with international advocacy groups calling for increased protections for migrant workers. Sean O'Kane of TechCrunch reported that Whizz's e-bike fleet in Chicago has plateaued due to fears among delivery workers, with co-founder Mike Peregudov stating, "It has become way harder to deliver a food order in the city" [1]. As the situation unfolds, international organizations are urging for a safe and legal environment for these workers, emphasizing the need for comprehensive immigration reform and worker safety measures.

The crackdown on Chicago delivery workers by federal agencies, including ICE and CBP, has sparked fear not only locally but has drawn international attention as a symbol of aggressive immigration enforcement impacting gig economies worldwide. Whizz, a Chicago-based e-bike subscription service, reported its fleet growth stalled from zero in March to about 300 by July but now stagnant as workers avoid the city due to enforcement fears, reflecting broader concerns about labor supply disruptions globally[1][3]. International responses have highlighted the chilling effect on immigrant workers, with community groups and legal advocates mobilizing support and urging safer working conditions amid these heightened enforcement actions[3].

In response to the growing concerns among Chicago delivery workers, local authorities have yet to issue a formal statement addressing the impact of the federal crackdown. However, Whizz's co-founder, Mike Peregudov, has highlighted the economic consequences, noting that the company's fleet has stagnated since the crackdown began, with numbers stuck at around 300 bikes since late July[1]. Community organizations are stepping in to provide legal services and safety guidance to affected workers, emphasizing the need for clear documentation and safety protocols[3].