U.S. Official Allegedly Violates Court Order on Tear Gas Use

A high-ranking official with the U.S. Border Patrol is accused of disregarding a court order that restricts the use of tear gas during protests in Chicago. According to a court filing submitted on Thursday, Gregory Bovino, the commander of U.S. Customs and Border Protection overseeing federal enforcement efforts in the city, deployed tear gas against demonstrators during a confrontation in a predominantly Latino neighborhood.

Protesters, journalists, and clergy members allege that Bovino violated a ruling by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, which prohibits the use of anti-riot weapons, including tear gas, unless specific conditions are met. The group provided photographic evidence and a link to a Facebook video purportedly showing Bovino using tear gas without issuing prior warnings to the demonstrators.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.

Background on Protests and Federal Response

The protests in Chicago are part of a broader backlash against President Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” a deportation initiative that has led to numerous arrests across the city. In response to escalating tensions, Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard troops to Illinois, an action that was later halted by a separate court ruling.

On Thursday, confrontations erupted in Little Village, one of Chicago’s largest Latino neighborhoods, where community members attempted to engage with federal agents. The standoff lasted approximately one hour and involved tear gas being used against demonstrators, some of whom reportedly threw rocks. This marks at least the fifth instance of tear gas being deployed in Chicago during recent protests.

Residents closely monitor the movements of federal immigration officers and often intervene to alert undocumented immigrants to their presence. The group that raised the allegations expressed urgency in informing Judge Ellis about the purported violation, fearing that federal officials are disregarding her orders.

Legal Proceedings and Concerns

Throughout the legal proceedings concerning federal enforcement actions, Judge Ellis has voiced ongoing concerns about compliance with her directives. Her October 9 ruling mandates that federal agents must wear visible identification and limits the deployment of crowd control measures. In a recent hearing, she questioned officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about multiple confrontations between agents and demonstrators.

During this hearing, Kyle Harvick, deputy incident commander for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Shawn Byers, deputy field office director for ICE, defended their actions, asserting that Ellis’s orders were adequately disseminated among personnel.

In early March, protesters, journalists, and clergy members filed a lawsuit against Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, alleging they were intentionally targeted and subjected to excessive force during demonstrations. The situation continues to evolve as community members demand accountability and adherence to legal standards in policing and immigration enforcement.