By Steve Neavling
A federal judge in Chicago has stepped up her oversight of President Trump’s immigration crackdown, ordering a top Border Patrol official to appear in court every day and turn over records and video showing agents using force against protesters and bystanders, Reuters reports.
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis sharply criticized Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino during a hearing Tuesday, telling him to wear a body camera himself after she saw footage of him throwing a tear gas canister at protesters. The confrontation occurred in a neighborhood with many Mexican immigrants as part of “Operation Midway Blitz,” Trump’s controversial immigration enforcement push.
“I am getting videos that citizens send in, and at least in the videos that I see, it is difficult for me to see that the force being used is necessary to stop an immediate and serious threat of physical harm,” Ellis said.
The judge, who is presiding over a lawsuit accusing federal agents of violating constitutional rights, has already barred them from using tear gas or pepper balls except in life-threatening situations and required visible identification and the use of body cameras.
Ellis ordered Bovino to report to court each weekday at 6 p.m. through Nov. 5 to discuss daily operations. She also directed the Department of Homeland Security to hand over all reports and body camera footage documenting the use of force since the operation began Sept. 2.
During the hearing, Ellis cited an incident Saturday in Old Irving Park, where agents allegedly fired tear gas without warning as children were headed to a Halloween parade.
“Kids dressed in Halloween costumes, walking to a parade, do not pose an immediate threat for the safety of a law enforcement officer,” Ellis said. “These kids, you can imagine their sense of safety was shattered on Saturday.”
Bovino said the use of force depends on “the situation” and admitted he does not yet have a body camera or the required training. Ellis ordered him to get both by Friday.
The Justice Department had asked Ellis to pause her order requiring Bovino’s daily appearances, but she denied the request. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
