URGENT UPDATE: A Chicago judge has just issued a scathing rebuke to US Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino over the deployment of tear gas in a neighborhood where children were preparing for a Halloween parade. This incident, which occurred over the weekend in Old Irving Park, directly violated a previous court order limiting the use of such chemical agents.
During a tense court session on October 31, 2023, US District Court Judge Sara Ellis confronted Bovino about the actions of Border Patrol agents, highlighting that they contravened her earlier restraining order against using riot control weapons against individuals “not posing an immediate threat.” This shocking violation raises serious concerns about the safety and well-being of families in the area.
The judge’s reprimand comes in the wake of alarming reports from local media, including WTTW politics reporter Heather Cherone, detailing multiple instances of excessive force by federal immigration agents. Ellis expressed her outrage over the tear gas deployment, stating, “These kids, you can imagine, their sense of safety was shattered. It is going to take a long time to come back, if ever.”
The chaotic scene unfolded as families gathered for the annual Halloween celebration, with federal agents targeting Luis Villegas, an undocumented immigrant who has lived in the U.S. since he was 4 years old. Witnesses reported that the agents felt no immediate threat, yet resorted to tear gas as neighbors protested and filmed the arrest. “Kids should feel they’re able to go to local Halloween events without having to worry about getting tear-gassed,” Judge Ellis emphasized, urging for a community free from fear on such festive occasions.
In a dramatic court appearance, Ellis also addressed alarming incidents where immigration agents pointed firearms at peaceful protesters and used inappropriate force against a man who approached them with questions. She mandated that Bovino appear daily in her courtroom to report on his agents’ conduct and insisted that all officers be equipped with body cameras. All reports related to the use of force incidents must be submitted by Friday.
A crucial hearing to determine whether the restraining order limiting riot control munitions will be made permanent is scheduled for November 5. This case highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local communities, particularly in terms of public safety and civil liberties.
As the situation develops, it raises significant questions about the use of force by federal agents in residential areas and the implications for community safety. The emotional impact on families, especially children looking forward to Halloween festivities, cannot be overstated.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent story as it continues to unfold.
