Chicago City Wire

A protest was held over the weekend at the Holiday Inn Chicago – Midway Airport South, which is being used as a shelter for undocumented immigrants by the City of Chicago.   

In October 2024, the Holiday Inn was converted into a shelter, along with another facility in Hyde Park, costing the City of Chicago an estimated $160 million, specifically for housing illegal immigrants.

An event at the Holiday Inn was organized by "Trump Illinois MAGA Official," a group with nearly 3,000 members on Facebook.  

Security guards at the Midway Holiday Inn. | Terry Newsome

Local activist Terry Newsome, who grew up on the city's South Side and now resides in DuPage County, participated in the protest.

Newsome said he's frustrated with the city's handling of the migrant crisis and its alleged attempts to hide the reality from public view. 

“For some reason, the city of Chicago is doing everything to keep us from exposing what's going on in these shelters,” Newsome told Chicago City Wire. “They're aggressively doing anything they can. The public from seeing what's going on.” 

The Holiday Inn can house up to 950 illegal immigrants. It is managed by Catholic Charities in partnership with the New Life Centers, an Obama Foundation-affiliated organization. These organizations provide a range of services to migrants, including case management, food, clothing and housing with paid utilities.

Newsome referred to a confrontation where security guards blocked his camera on claims of private property. In the video captured by Newsome, the exchange began with a security guard demanding that Newsome leave the property. 

“You gotta get off the property!” the guard said. 

“I want to ask you a question,” Newsome said in the video. 

The guard repeatedly told Newsome that the hotel was “private property,” and became increasingly agitated, attempting to block Newsome’s camera. 

“Who do you work for?” Newsome asked. “Why does it say Holiday Inn? I want to get a room.”

Despite being told by the guard to speak with a police officer nearby, Newsome pushed for more clarity. 

“Is this one of Brandon Johnson’s One System Initiative?” referring to Chicago’s efforts to manage the migrant crisis. 

Newsome also asked the guard, “Do you work for an NGO? How many Venezuelans are in here? Who's funding this?”

The security guard remained evasive, continuously insisting that Newsome leave, responding with, “Please get off, sir.” 

When Newsome continued pressing for answers, the guard became more insistent: “You need to get off the property. It’s private property.” 

At one point, Newsome sarcastically remarked, “I guess we’ll talk about the broken record here.”

The tense exchange escalated when Newsome said, “You look like a terrorist,” in reference to the guard’s attire, particularly a black glove he was wearing. 

Newsome also referenced previous confrontations at similar migrant housing facilities. 

“Actually, the guard, a GardaWorld Security guard, had touched me at the other one, got arrested, they’re arresting him for something,” he said.

As the situation unfolded, Newsome expressed his frustration with the secrecy surrounding the facility. 

“They got a bunch of Venezuelans in here. They’re housing illegal Venezuelans. We got allied security.” 

He further criticized the city’s handling of the issue. 

“I hope you enjoy ruining Chicago, our country, housing illegals,” Newsome said. 

Newsome also mentioned his concerns about gang activity, referring to a security guard who he captured in photos flashing a gang sign.  

“I'm just kind of shocked that they have, you know, a tax funded Holiday Inn full of illegal immigrants where they're being protected by Allied Universal Security who seems to be hiring Chicago gang members flashing their gang signs as they protect,” he said. 

“Venezuelan gang members that are residing in the hotel,” he said. “It's a little ironic.” 

A security guard throws a gang sign. (Terry Newsome)

A counter protester who appeared on the scene, waving a Mexican flag and ringing a cowbell was also caught on camera. 

“This flag is meant to be flown high!” the counter protestor said, referring to the Mexican flag. 

A counter protestor waves a Mexican flag. (Terry Newsome)

Newsome also shared disturbing accounts from a source within the Chicago Fire Department, who reported responding to maternity calls at the hotel, including an incident where a woman had a miscarriage without knowing she had a sexually transmitted infection. 

“This is the same Holiday Inn that I had a number of confrontations and was assaulted a number times along with Ben Bergquam,” Newsome said. 

Bergquam and Newsome’s previous work on the matter has raised questions about the use of public funds for these operations. 

In 2024, the State of Illinois spent an estimated $1 billion on illegal immigrants, much of which is being allocated to support housing. Since 2022, the City of Chicago has spent approximately $300 million on the migrant crisis, redirecting funds originally intended for homelessness assistance.  

In their investigation, Bergquam and Newsome also discovered a New Life Centers parking pass at the Holiday Inn, linking the NGO further to the operation.