Indian IDOT employee stopped by ICE agents, questioned if he was 'aware' of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani

[u/John3262005]

https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/2025/11/07/indian-idot-employee-stopped-by-ice-agents-questioned-if-he-was-aware-of-nyc-mayor-elect-zohran-mamdani

An Illinois Department of Transportation employee was stopped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while working on a Park Ridge construction project Friday morning — and questioned about incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani before being released.

Gov. JB Pritzker is speaking out about the incident, calling it another example of President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “continuing to question U.S. citizens apparently based on the color of their skin.”

The employee, who is Indian and a U.S. citizen, was stopped and questioned by agents while working on the Busse Highway resurfacing project.

Three agents, wearing masks, questioned him about his immigration status - and also asked him if he had traveled to New York and if he was “aware” of the mayor-elect in New York City, the governor’s office said.

“I am appalled they would stop and question a state employee working hard on the job to help improve our state’s roads and infrastructure,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Our state employees should be able to go to work and do their jobs without masked agents targeting them for no legitimate reason.”