Tag: border patrol chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — A federal judge listened to arguments Wednesday for possibly extending restrictions on federal agents working in Chicago as part of Operation Midway Blitz.

There was testimony from protesters, elected officials and media members accusing federal agents of violating their constitutional rights with repeated use of force. The government continues to dispute that, saying agents have only targeted rioters and not peaceful protesters.

The judge said a ruling will be issued Thursday morning.

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Wednesday’s preliminary injunction hearing was the culmination of a month-long court battle that began after several media organizations filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security over federal agents use of force tactics against protesters and journalists.

Since then, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis imposed a temporary restraining order that limits how and when agents can deploy chemical agents can be used. That TRO, which has, according to plaintiffs been violated countless times, including by CBP Commander Gregory Bovino himself, expires Thursday.

Attorneys representing journalists, clergymen and demonstrators who say they’ve been harmed by federal immigration agents during protests and operations were expected to show images and videos of confrontations with agents and also call on witnesses in court.

Judge Ellis’ temporary restraining order restricts federal agents from using “riot control weapons” against journalists, protestors and religious practitioners without first issuing warnings unless necessary to stop an immediate threat.

RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

Plaintiffs argued the incidents shown in court to the judge violate the judge’s order.

Government lawyers said agents have a right to protect themselves while DHS says agents have been harassed and followed by what they call violent protestors.

Bovino was not in court Wednesday as attorneys allege overnight he lied under oath about an incident last month, where he is seen lobbing tear gas at Little Village protestors during a confrontation with agents amid immigration operations.

DHS argued a rock was thrown at Bovino and struck him in the head, but plaintiffs argue they have not found footage showing a rock striking Bovino.

Through a recorded deposition taken last week, Bovino insisted that all uses of force so far have been perpetrated not on peaceful protesters but on what he calls violent rioters.

Bovino said at one point, “I believe that all uses of force that I have seen and all arrests that I have seen have been more than exemplary.”

Bovino’s comments were contradicted by the testimony of nine witnesses called by plaintiffs: elected officials, media representatives and everyday people describing their interactions with federal agents during protests that have broken out, not just outside ICE’s Broadview facility but also in neighborhoods across the city during the aftermath of immigration enforcement activities. Some detailing how they had weapons pointed at them simply for recording what they saw. Others recounting their experiences being tear gassed or shot with pepper bullets. Significant amounts of surveillance and cell phone video backing these testimonies up were also presented in court.

SEE ALSO | Judge issues temporary restraining order against DHS for Broadview ICE facility conditions

The disconnect between both sides could not be more stark, as a Border Patrol supervisor said on the stand he does not consider tear gas dangerous.

A ruling from Judge Ellis is expected Thursday morning. She could also decide to just extend the TRO as she mulls over a final ruling.

Thursday’s ruling is expected at 10 a.m., which is before the TRO is set to expire at 11:30 a.m.

Before court, anti-ICE demonstrators gathered outside of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse ahead of Wednesday morning’s hearing, calling out Bovino and his alleged actions through Operation Midway Blitz.

They held signs, chanted and held a mock-trial for Bovino.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited northwest Indiana Thursday, as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker calls on DHS to pause immigration arrests over Halloween weekend.

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On Wednesday night, Pritzker sent a letter to Noem, requesting a pause in ICE enforcement this weekend in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks and places of worship, so children can safely celebrate Halloween.

The governor referenced an incident in his letter this past weekend in Old Irving Park – in which he says, federal agents reportedly interrupted a children’s Halloween parade and deployed tear gas without warning on residents peacefully celebrating the holiday.

“Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood,” Governor Pritzker wrote. “Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear.”

Speaking in Gary, Indiana, Noem rejected Governor Pritzker’s request.

“The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and I think unfortunate that he doesn’t recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure that we are bringing criminals to justice and bringing them off our streets,” Noem said.

In response to Governor Pritzker, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: said in a statement, “Once again Governor Pritzker is going out of his way to smear the law enforcement officers of DHS, who are attempting to clean up the rampant crime he facilitated

“He is pushing a false narrative that DHS is targeting schools, hospitals, and churches. This is false, he knows this, but he continues to push these lies.

“Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons, violence and only use crowd control methods as a last resort when repeated warnings have been given.

“Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear. Elected officials choosing to fearmonger by distorting reality are doing a great disservice to our country and are responsible for the nearly 1,000% increase in assaults and 8,000% increase in violent threats against ICE officers.”

RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

in Gary, Noem spoke about immigrants in the United States illegally getting commercial driver’s licenses.

“Putting these foreigners in tractor trailers like the ones you see behind me becomes extremely dangerous,” Noem said. “Putting them behind the wheel of these tractor trailers weighing tens of thousands of pounds loaded with explosive fuel down the highway endangers every single citizens that is on our roads.”

Noem gave update on recent immigration enforcement dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz,” which Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino called “wildly successful” in an interview with ABC News earlier this week.

Noem was joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun in Gary along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons, among others.

SEE ALSO: Court pauses order requiring CBP Chief Bovino to meet with judge daily on immigration operations

RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

Noem’s visit has been met with some criticism, though, from other local northwest Indiana leaders.

Gary’s Mayor Eddie Melton said his office was not involved with planning the event and is not participating.

Hammond’s Mayor Thomas McDermott also posted on Facebook, criticizing how the press conference was announced.

Some protesters gathered in Gary to demonstrate against Noem’s presence.