CHICAGO (RNS) — The first thing Audrey Luhmann does when she wakes up is check her phone for reports of federal immigration enforcement activity in the Chicago area. A mother of eight and devout Christian, Luhmann and her family have been part of a volunteer network tracking and documenting federal enforcement actions since September 2025, when the Trump administration launched “Operation Midway Blitz,” a mass deportation campaign.
“Every day since September has been a day of unknowns,” she said. “So we don’t know if we’re going to be home an hour from now.”
In between documenting what she describes as “anything illegal” she and her family see during enforcement actions, including arrests without a judicial warrant, use of force and traffic violations, Luhmann also collects food, clothing and other supplies for immigrant families and people released from detention. Off and on during the week, she helps care for a baby whose father was deported and whose mother was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Her two teenage sons, Ben and Sam, also have traveled to Minneapolis in the aftermath of the killing of Renee Good to document ICE actions.
“They are actually doing everything that I’ve taught them,” Luhmann said. “I’ve spent my entire life telling them that Jesus was with those who were oppressed, that Jesus was with those who the rest of the world pushed away.”
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Luhmann is featured in the second episode of “Faith on the Immigration Frontline,” RNS’ short-form documentary series about clergy and religious community members putting their faith to work on the front lines of America’s immigration crisis.
The episode follows Luhmann as she patrols courthouses, responds to community alerts, cares for her children and organizes assistance for immigrant families.
“I’m not going to walk away from this,” she said. “You know, this is a reality. And we can’t escape reality or we’re not living in it.”
Luhmann said that although she doesn’t feel “divinely protected,” she does feel God’s presence in the work.
“God doesn’t promise safety,” she said. “He promises presence.”
ICE’s Chicago office did not respond to a request for comment.
