UPDATE: A federal judge has ordered immediate reforms to the tactics employed by ICE in Chicago amid allegations of excessive force against protesters. Judge Sara L. Ellis of the Northern District of Illinois is scrutinizing the actions of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, particularly regarding the use of tear gas against demonstrators.
The judge expressed concern over reports that ICE officers have been using riot control measures against non-threatening crowds, including children attending a Halloween parade. “Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer,” Judge Ellis stated, emphasizing the need for appropriate responses from federal agents.
During a hearing earlier today, Judge Ellis mandated that Bovino implement body cameras for officers in Chicago and personally wear one himself. She insisted on clear communication with the public before deploying any crowd control measures, stating, “The warning has to be, ‘I’m going to deploy tear gas.’”
This urgent development arises from a lawsuit filed by activist reporters alleging a “pattern of extreme brutality” by ICE agents. The Department of Homeland Security defended the use of gas canisters, claiming they are only employed when agents face aggressive actions from protesters. According to DHS, agents were forced to use crowd control measures when demonstrators obstructed federal operations and threw objects at law enforcement.
Judge Ellis has ordered Bovino to report daily to the federal courthouse until a scheduled hearing on November 5. He must inform the court of any use of force by his agents and ensure compliance with her temporary restraining order, which currently prohibits the use of tear gas.
As tensions continue to rise in Chicago, this ruling could have significant implications on how federal law enforcement interacts with civilian protests. The situation is developing, and further updates are expected as Bovino navigates the directives imposed by the federal court.
This ruling underscores the ongoing debate over law enforcement practices in the face of public dissent, especially concerning immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Stay tuned for more updates on this critical issue as it unfolds.
