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TechCrunch
TechCrunch
1M ago 30 views

Whizz co-founder says Trump's Chicago crackdown is scaring delivery workers off the streets

Whizz co-founder highlights fears among delivery workers in Chicago due to Trump's deportation policies, impacting business growth.
Whizz co-founder says Trump's Chicago crackdown is scaring delivery workers off the streets
A What happened
Mike Peregudov, co-founder of Whizz, an e-bike subscription service, has expressed concerns about the impact of President Trump's deportation policies on delivery workers in Chicago. A viral video showing a delivery worker fleeing from federal agents has underscored the fear among workers, leading to a significant decline in Whizz's business. Since August, when Trump threatened to deploy National Guard troops, Whizz has lost about 8% of its business as workers feel increasingly unsafe. This fear is prevalent among both documented and undocumented immigrants, as immigration raids have intensified across various U.S. cities. In contrast, Whizz's operations in Washington, D.C., have seen growth, attributed to a different enforcement focus that has driven workers to seek safer e-bike options. Peregudov, an immigrant himself, refrained from commenting extensively on the administration's policies but acknowledged the stress faced by many workers.

Key insights

  • 1

    Fear Among Delivery Workers

    Delivery workers in Chicago are increasingly fearful due to immigration raids.

  • 2

    Impact on Business Growth

    Whizz has experienced a decline in business due to the hostile environment.

  • 3

    Contrast with D.C. Operations

    Business is up in Washington, D.C., due to different enforcement dynamics.

Takeaways

The situation highlights the broader implications of immigration policies on the gig economy.