Alma Campos
@almacampos.bsky.social
Lead Reporter & Project editor on Immigration @southsideweekly.bsky.social
almacampos.com
almacampos.com
Pinned
I’m grateful to share I received two awards from the Chicago Journalists Association this year: First Place in Immigration Coverage, & Second Place for the Dorothy Stork Award. Thank you to the Chicago Journalists Association and an amazing team @southsideweekly.bsky.social
Glad this work is getting the attention it deserves. Glad to have been part of it.
Several Chicago newsrooms spent two months collecting and analyzing evidence of ICE & Border Patrol's use of tear gas and pepper spray in Chicago.
They found that agents deployed chemical agents nearly 50 times. Most uses occurred after a judge ordered federal agents to restrict their use.
They found that agents deployed chemical agents nearly 50 times. Most uses occurred after a judge ordered federal agents to restrict their use.
Feds Used Chemical Agents Dozens of Times in Chicago
An investigation by reporters from six newsrooms found that agents used chemical irritants nearly 50 times during Operation Midway Blitz.
southsideweekly.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Glad this work is getting the attention it deserves. Glad to have been part of it.
We just published a cross-newsroom investigation into the use of tear gas and pepper spray during Operation Midway Blitz. Reporters, photographers, and editors from across Chicago reviewed dozens of videos to build a verified record of how these weapons were used in our neighborhoods.
Feds Used Chemical Agents Dozens of Times in Chicago—Even After Judge Said To Stop
An investigation by reporters from six newsrooms found that agents used chemical irritants nearly 50 times during Operation Midway Blitz.
southsideweekly.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
We just published a cross-newsroom investigation into the use of tear gas and pepper spray during Operation Midway Blitz. Reporters, photographers, and editors from across Chicago reviewed dozens of videos to build a verified record of how these weapons were used in our neighborhoods.
Reposted by Alma Campos
South Side Weekly’s reporting on the South Shore raid was featured on @maddow.bsky.social yesterday! (Story link in thread)
November 18, 2025 at 11:50 AM
South Side Weekly’s reporting on the South Shore raid was featured on @maddow.bsky.social yesterday! (Story link in thread)
I’m grateful to share I received two awards from the Chicago Journalists Association this year: First Place in Immigration Coverage, & Second Place for the Dorothy Stork Award. Thank you to the Chicago Journalists Association and an amazing team @southsideweekly.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I’m grateful to share I received two awards from the Chicago Journalists Association this year: First Place in Immigration Coverage, & Second Place for the Dorothy Stork Award. Thank you to the Chicago Journalists Association and an amazing team @southsideweekly.bsky.social
Reposted by Alma Campos
A judge ordered agents involved in the Chicago deportation blitz to have "visible identification … prominently displayed."
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
IDs are mismatched, illegible or still missing 3 weeks after judge’s order to immigration officers
In dozens of photographs at four locations, Chicago Sun-Times photojournalists documented federal officers failing to wear the “visible identification” needed to hold individuals accountable during th...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:51 PM
A judge ordered agents involved in the Chicago deportation blitz to have "visible identification … prominently displayed."
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
But they've been missing in dozens of @chicago.suntimes.com photographs.
From @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social, Anthony Vazquez and Ashlee Rezin: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Alma Campos
From the Increase the Peace IG. We see federal agents here dragging a man out of this barbershop in Brighton Park a short while ago. The man yells in Spanish “You’re hurting me! You’re hurting me! Help me!”
October 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
From the Increase the Peace IG. We see federal agents here dragging a man out of this barbershop in Brighton Park a short while ago. The man yells in Spanish “You’re hurting me! You’re hurting me! Help me!”
I’ve been tracking this contract since 2023, and last week, Cook County quietly renewed it. As ICE raids continue across Chicago, the board approved another $1M deal with a data broker tied to ICE. My latest for @southsideweekly.bsky.social
Cook County Board Reapproves Contract with ICE-Linked Data Firm as Raids Sweep Chicago
Four years after first being warned that a contract risked exposing immigrant data to ICE, Cook County approved another renewal—this time with advocates commissioners voicing frustration that stronger...
southsideweekly.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I’ve been tracking this contract since 2023, and last week, Cook County quietly renewed it. As ICE raids continue across Chicago, the board approved another $1M deal with a data broker tied to ICE. My latest for @southsideweekly.bsky.social
Grateful to be nominated for the Dorothy Storck Award—an honor named after a trailblazing Chicago journalist. 📝🕵️♀️ Thank you Chicago Journlaists Association and congrats to the finalists. 🎉
Congratulations to our immigration project editor @almacampos.bsky.social on being named a finalist for the CJA's prestigious Dorothy Storck award! Here's a thread of some of Alma's recent work. 🧵1/5
October 28, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Grateful to be nominated for the Dorothy Storck Award—an honor named after a trailblazing Chicago journalist. 📝🕵️♀️ Thank you Chicago Journlaists Association and congrats to the finalists. 🎉
Reposted by Alma Campos
"Nearly everyone involved in this effort is a woman: the work of finding missing family members, like many other forms of labor for incarcerated people, is largely carried by women."
October 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
"Nearly everyone involved in this effort is a woman: the work of finding missing family members, like many other forms of labor for incarcerated people, is largely carried by women."
Thank you, Cicero Independiente, for republishing my story. 📝
Thanks to our friends at Cicero Independiente for republishing @almacampos.bsky.social's moving reporting on the last journey home for Silverio Villegas González, who ICE agents killed near Chicago in September.
A Tragic Homecoming — Cicero Independiente
After nearly two decades in Chicago, Silverio Villegas González returned to Michoacán in a coffin. His death at the hands of federal agents left two families divided by borders, shattered with grief, ...
www.ciceroindependiente.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Thank you, Cicero Independiente, for republishing my story. 📝
Thank you @blockclubchi.bsky.social for publishing my story!
After nearly two decades in Chicago, Silverio Villegas González returned to Michoacán in a coffin. His death at the hands of federal agents left two families divided by borders, shattered with grief, and with a lot of unanswered questions. blockclubchi.co/4nbo28H
October 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Thank you @blockclubchi.bsky.social for publishing my story!
Reposted by Alma Campos
Thank you to @blockclubchi.bsky.social for republishing @almacampos.bsky.social's moving reporting on the final journey of Silverio Villegas González, who was killed by federal agents last month in Franklin Park.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/20/a...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/20/a...
A Tragic Homecoming
After nearly two decades in Chicago, Silverio Villegas González returned to Michoacán in a coffin. His death at the hands of federal agents left two families divided by borders, shattered with grief, ...
blockclubchicago.org
October 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Thank you to @blockclubchi.bsky.social for republishing @almacampos.bsky.social's moving reporting on the final journey of Silverio Villegas González, who was killed by federal agents last month in Franklin Park.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/20/a...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/20/a...
Reposted by Alma Campos
An estimated 100,000 people turned out for Chicago’s No Kings rally. Photos via @chicagotribune.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:29 PM
An estimated 100,000 people turned out for Chicago’s No Kings rally. Photos via @chicagotribune.com
Reposted by Alma Campos
Protesters break out in “Lock Trump the fuck up” chants:
October 18, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Protesters break out in “Lock Trump the fuck up” chants:
Reposted by Alma Campos
@almacampos.bsky.social always delivers good work and this story is worth a read: A Tragic Homecoming. About the return of Silverio Villegas González’s body to Michoacan after he was killed by the U.S. government southsideweekly.com/a-tragic-hom...
A Tragic Homecoming
After nearly two decades in Chicago, Silverio Villegas González returned to Michoacán in a coffin. His death at the hands of federal agents left two families divided by borders, shattered with grief, ...
southsideweekly.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
@almacampos.bsky.social always delivers good work and this story is worth a read: A Tragic Homecoming. About the return of Silverio Villegas González’s body to Michoacan after he was killed by the U.S. government southsideweekly.com/a-tragic-hom...
So glad to have worked on this one with amazing reporters Maira Khwaja @invisible.institute, Jose Abonce @southsideweekly.bsky.social and our SSW editing team @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social
NEW: In the weeks leading up to a massive ICE raid at a South Shore apartment building, neighbors saw drones surveilling the area, and teachers at a nearby school regularly saw agents in the neighborhood.
✍️ Jose Abonce for the Weekly and Maira Khwaja for @invisible.institute
✍️ Jose Abonce for the Weekly and Maira Khwaja for @invisible.institute
Federal Agents Storm South Shore Building, Detaining Families and Children
Families were woken by flashbangs and helicopters as hundreds of federal agents raided their homes. Days later, neighbors are still searching for the missing.
southsideweekly.com
October 8, 2025 at 3:22 PM
So glad to have worked on this one with amazing reporters Maira Khwaja @invisible.institute, Jose Abonce @southsideweekly.bsky.social and our SSW editing team @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social
Reposted by Alma Campos
Weekends aren't a real thing for me these days.
October 4, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Weekends aren't a real thing for me these days.
Reposted by Alma Campos
Federal agents shot and apparently wounded a person in Chicago today.
Linking to this article with the major caveat that DHS statements are typically false and self-serving, and tend to overstate the threats.
The only part of this story that is confirmed is that agents shot a civilian.
Linking to this article with the major caveat that DHS statements are typically false and self-serving, and tend to overstate the threats.
The only part of this story that is confirmed is that agents shot a civilian.
Shooting involving federal agents in Brighton Park under investigation
According to the Department of Homeland Security, a woman allegedly "boxed in" federal authorities, who opened fire.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Federal agents shot and apparently wounded a person in Chicago today.
Linking to this article with the major caveat that DHS statements are typically false and self-serving, and tend to overstate the threats.
The only part of this story that is confirmed is that agents shot a civilian.
Linking to this article with the major caveat that DHS statements are typically false and self-serving, and tend to overstate the threats.
The only part of this story that is confirmed is that agents shot a civilian.
Reposted by Alma Campos
UPDATE — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responds to feds putting a Black man in a chokehold.
“These agents are rogue, unaccountable, and cannot be trusted to keep Chicagoans safe. Thankfully, brave Chicagoans documented these actions and posted them on social media.”
thetriibe.com/2025/10/new-...
“These agents are rogue, unaccountable, and cannot be trusted to keep Chicagoans safe. Thankfully, brave Chicagoans documented these actions and posted them on social media.”
thetriibe.com/2025/10/new-...
New details emerge surrounding incident that led to a Black man being ‘choked’ by the feds in Chicago • The TRiiBE
Chicago Police are still investigating this incident.
thetriibe.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:49 PM
UPDATE — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responds to feds putting a Black man in a chokehold.
“These agents are rogue, unaccountable, and cannot be trusted to keep Chicagoans safe. Thankfully, brave Chicagoans documented these actions and posted them on social media.”
thetriibe.com/2025/10/new-...
“These agents are rogue, unaccountable, and cannot be trusted to keep Chicagoans safe. Thankfully, brave Chicagoans documented these actions and posted them on social media.”
thetriibe.com/2025/10/new-...
Reposted by Alma Campos
An immigrant family taken by federal agents Downtown has been separated in detention centers: "They’re locking up children." blockclubchi.co/4pOrdpw
October 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
An immigrant family taken by federal agents Downtown has been separated in detention centers: "They’re locking up children." blockclubchi.co/4pOrdpw
Reposted by Alma Campos
CHICAGO / SUBURBS
If you want to know what it's looked like at the ICE facility in Broadview (Chicago), this brilliant photo essay from @almacampos.bsky.social & @pgoyette.bsky.social at @southsideweekly.bsky.social is a very good place to start.
If you want to know what it's looked like at the ICE facility in Broadview (Chicago), this brilliant photo essay from @almacampos.bsky.social & @pgoyette.bsky.social at @southsideweekly.bsky.social is a very good place to start.
We Want Them Back: Protest and State Violence at Broadview ICE Facility
Hundreds protested outside Broadview ICE in Illinois, resisting Operation Midway Blitz and denouncing raids, deportations, and state violence.
southsideweekly.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:38 PM
CHICAGO / SUBURBS
If you want to know what it's looked like at the ICE facility in Broadview (Chicago), this brilliant photo essay from @almacampos.bsky.social & @pgoyette.bsky.social at @southsideweekly.bsky.social is a very good place to start.
If you want to know what it's looked like at the ICE facility in Broadview (Chicago), this brilliant photo essay from @almacampos.bsky.social & @pgoyette.bsky.social at @southsideweekly.bsky.social is a very good place to start.
Reposted by Alma Campos
ICE agents’ crackdown on protesters outside of Chicago escalated tonight with flash bangs and pepper bullets. I was on the ground this evening for @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/19/i...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/19/i...
Agents Tear Gas, Detain Demonstrators Outside Broadview ICE Facility During Daylong Protest
Large crowds gathered to protest early Friday and later that evening outside of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview.
blockclubchicago.org
September 20, 2025 at 3:17 AM
ICE agents’ crackdown on protesters outside of Chicago escalated tonight with flash bangs and pepper bullets. I was on the ground this evening for @blockclubchi.bsky.social
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/19/i...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/09/19/i...
Reposted by Alma Campos
How much is one American body worth?
We spend more to detain prisoners here in the U.S. than El Salvador earns for all their goods and services annually.
thetriibe.com/2025/02/the-...
We spend more to detain prisoners here in the U.S. than El Salvador earns for all their goods and services annually.
thetriibe.com/2025/02/the-...
The Revolutionary Column: Trump will deport Black Americans to overseas prisons, too, if we let him • The TRiiBE
President Donald Trump said he’d love to send Chicagoans to El Salvador’s “mega prison,” and he meant every wild ass word he said.
thetriibe.com
March 23, 2025 at 1:08 PM
How much is one American body worth?
We spend more to detain prisoners here in the U.S. than El Salvador earns for all their goods and services annually.
thetriibe.com/2025/02/the-...
We spend more to detain prisoners here in the U.S. than El Salvador earns for all their goods and services annually.
thetriibe.com/2025/02/the-...
What happens after ICE arrests someone? My latest for @southsideweekly.bsky.social dives into the hidden, often chaotic process that follows detention, and the impact on immigrant communities. Read here: southsideweekly.com/where-do-peo...
Where Do People Go After ICE Arrests Them?
In the Chicago area, people are initially sent to Broadview Processing Center before being transferred to detention centers out of state.
southsideweekly.com
March 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM
What happens after ICE arrests someone? My latest for @southsideweekly.bsky.social dives into the hidden, often chaotic process that follows detention, and the impact on immigrant communities. Read here: southsideweekly.com/where-do-peo...
Reposted by Alma Campos
To round out our spotlights we have @southsideweekly.bsky.social, a nonprofit newsroom that has transformed local news through collaborative journalism. The outlet empowers residents to tell their own stories and has ranked third in a reader satisfaction survey among Chicago news outlets.
March 14, 2025 at 5:52 PM
To round out our spotlights we have @southsideweekly.bsky.social, a nonprofit newsroom that has transformed local news through collaborative journalism. The outlet empowers residents to tell their own stories and has ranked third in a reader satisfaction survey among Chicago news outlets.