CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis has taken the rare step of requiring daily court-mandated check-ins from a senior Border Patrol official in Chicago, Greg Bovino. This unprecedented measure follows a series of incidents involving over 1,800 arrests and claims of excessive force by immigration enforcement agents.
The judge's ruling came after reports that tear gas was used during an operation near a neighborhood where children were present for a Halloween parade. Judge Ellis expressed her concerns, stating that she does not want a repeat of such events that could endanger children during the holiday. The check-ins will continue until a hearing on November 5, aimed at addressing these serious accusations.
Bovino, who leads the Border Patrol efforts in Chicago, will participate in daily briefings at 5:45 p.m. to report on operational tactics and ensure compliance with constitutional rights. Ellis emphasized the importance of accountability in light of growing public anxiety over the use of aggressive tactics by agents in the city.
The situation in Chicago reflects a broader trend as various groups and officials across the nation are initiating legal actions to curtail federal deployments, including National Guard troops. On the same day, a federal trial is set to begin in Portland, Oregon, aiming to block a similar troop deployment.
Ellis intends to receive all use-of-force reports from Border Patrol agents involved in recent operations, insisting on transparency and adherence to her prior directives, including the use of body cameras. The judge's firm approach aims to protect the community and uphold civil rights during these contentious enforcement efforts.
