Alex V. Hernandez
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avhndz.bsky.social
Alex V. Hernandez
@avhndz.bsky.social
Bird Law Scholar.
Lincoln Square, North Center & Irving Park reporter for Block Club Chicago.
Loyola U Prof.
Co-founder Borderless Magazine.
Alum Roosevelt University.
Opinions = Mine.
RTs ≠ Es.
✶✶✶✶ > Everything.
Pinned
The @blockclubchi.bsky.social team's Chicago roots run deep. For this project, we talked to neighbors across the city about how President Donald Trump's surge in immigration enforcement — operations Midway Blitz and At Large — have changed our city. blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
NEW: @blockclubchi.bsky.social debuted “Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City.”

The interactive project is part investigation & part archive — a permanent record of what happened when the federal govt used violence on its own people. blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
December 30, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
If you have some time this week, please take a look at this year-end project from @blockclubchi.bsky.social

I'm extremely proud of the work I'm able to do at Block Club and very grateful to part of such a hard-working team
Our project, “Chicago Under Siege,” documents the fear people lived in, the ways they sought to organize and resist and the heartbreak they experienced under Operation Midway Blitz. blockclubchi.co/3Ye4GGa
December 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
In flashy videos and viral social media posts, federal officials made their case for what was happening in Chicago. But @blockclubchi.bsky.social's reporting on the ground, court records, records, video and numerous interviews paint a different picture.
December 30, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Local news in Chicago has done an astounding job documenting the federal overreach in our city. Here's a deep dive into the nightmare from @franciagarciah.bsky.social & the team at @blockclubchi.bsky.social. Give it a read:
December 30, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Block Club reporters were there every day as immigration agents teargassed, shot, violently arrested & separated Chicagoans from their families.

Bolstered by hours of video analysis & hundreds of documents, "Chicago Under Siege" is the record of what happened.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
December 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
What happened this fall when ICE targeted #Chicago? @blockclubchi.bsky.social spoke to 60+ ppl, watched/analyzed 50 hrs of video + reviewed 100s of pages of records/court docs to find out. What emerged: the federal gov’s version of events, in ways big and small, didn’t match Chicagoans’ experiences
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
For the definitive account of the federal government's invasion of Chicago this year, you have got to read
@blockclubchi.bsky.social 's year-end project that went up today. The accounts, the photos, the reporting — I am so proud of this team, I have no words.

blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
We've been quietly at work, taking a look back at how Operation Midway Blitz changed Chicago and what happened after hundreds of federal agents detained immigrants. Unlike what the feds claimed, over 60% of those arrested did not have criminal charges.

READ:

blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
December 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM
The @blockclubchi.bsky.social team's Chicago roots run deep. For this project, we talked to neighbors across the city about how President Donald Trump's surge in immigration enforcement — operations Midway Blitz and At Large — have changed our city. blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/30/c...
Chicago Under Siege: How Operation Midway Blitz Changed Our City
Federal agents arrested thousands during an unprecedented immigration mission in Chicago. They also killed a man, shot a woman five times, tear-gassed a 1-year-old, separated families and brutalized p...
blockclubchicago.org
December 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Your guide to "alternative" holiday movie screenings in Chicago this season: blockclubchi.co/4a9OwVw
December 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Just a reminder that we're still accepting any and all tips regarding the people running for judge in Cook County in the March primary! Take a look at the names here and share anything you'd like us to know. Responses are confidential! airtable.com/appG8uZvhvgY...
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airtable.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Last Friday, I sat with several Northwest Side housing organizers and elected officials as we chattered our teeth inside the Humboldt Park United Methodist Church, which is finally ready to be transformed into affordable housing and will get a big makeover. blockclubchi.co/48oP60e
Affordable Apartments At Logan Square Church Break Ground After 6 Years In The Making
The Humboldt Park United Methodist Church project is the first sanctuary space in Chicago that will be turned into affordable housing, developers said.
blockclubchi.co
December 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a package of bills meant to better protect immigrants throughout Illinois, a direct rebuke of Operation Midway Blitz. blockclubchi.co/48KFWKm
December 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
December 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
I shouldn't be talking out of school, but if you ever find yourself in a similar case, you can still ask for a special character agreement post-hoc. Helps if your editor will back you.

Of course getting the agreement enforced is another kettle of fish but it's a start
Miles Morales co-creator Sara Pichelli says she does not get any royalties from the ‘Spider-Verse’ films, Insomniac games, or merch

"I don’t get anything … that's the saddest part of my life"

(via SiteJamesons | TW)
December 7, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Crucifying The Insincere
Tonight, Tonight
At Debutant Billy’s Final 2025
Performance At The Lyric Opera
#ANIGHTOFMELLONCOLLIEANDINFINITESADNESS
December 1, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Immigration advocates worry that President Donald Trump’s administration is using court delays to pressure people in federal custody to sign voluntary departure agreements.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/21/c... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Chicago Immigration Advocates Launch Fundraising Campaign To Help Free ICE Detainees
Immigration advocates fear President Donald Trump’s administration is attempting to delay court proceedings that could release more than 400 people with no criminal history from immigration detention ...
blockclubchicago.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
💀
Trump frickin' loves this guy lmao
November 21, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Immigration advocates worry that President Donald Trump’s administration is using court delays to pressure people in federal custody to sign voluntary departure agreements.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/21/c... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Chicago Immigration Advocates Launch Fundraising Campaign To Help Free ICE Detainees
Immigration advocates fear President Donald Trump’s administration is attempting to delay court proceedings that could release more than 400 people with no criminal history from immigration detention ...
blockclubchicago.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The publicity around Pope Leo’s namesake beer couldn’t have come at a better time: $1 from each Da Pope four-pack will benefit North Center’s Common Pantry. Every $1 raised translates into three meals for food insecure neighbors. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/19/c... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Chicago-Brewed 'Da Pope' Beer Now In Pope Leo's Fridge, Thanks To Gov. Pritzker
Gov. JB Pritzker gifted Pope Leo the beer during a visit to Rome this week. The beer came from North Center's Burning Bush Brewery, and its owner — a former pastor — is thrilled. “We’re very excited a...
blockclubchicago.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:50 PM
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Federal agents used chemical weapons on Chicagoans at least 49 times — even after a judge said to stop.

Contrary to federal claims about attacks on agents, most of these incidents appear to involve nonviolent protesters or bystanders. blockclubchi.co/47PoaXb
November 19, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Reposted by Alex V. Hernandez
Last week I sat down with Andrea, whose husband was recently taken by immigration officials. Despite navigating a new normal — and a complicated court system — she was all smiles as she told me about her family’s journey to Chicago&the support she’s received from neighbors. blockclubchi.co/3LLpUZ2
Chicago Immigrants Struggling With Mental Health After ICE Raids: 'They Want Us To Be Scared'
Mental health professionals are providing impacted families with free support, workshops and guides, which some say have helped. But the trauma lingers.
blockclubchi.co
November 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
A group of more than 30 independent businesses in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood are teaming up for a fundraiser to benefit four nonprofits helping Chicago’s most vulnerable neighbors. blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/19/l... via @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Lincoln Square, Ravenswood Shops Team Up For Virtual Raffle To Benefit Chicagoans In Need
The fundraiser has already raised more than $6,000 to benefit three food pantries — The Friendship Center and Common Pantry and Ravenswood Community Services — and the nonprofit Illinois Coalition for...
blockclubchicago.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
November 18, 2025 at 10:58 PM