Archive · 29 Oct 2025
Judge Orders Border Patrol Leader to Appear Daily in Chicago
A judge in Chicago is closely watching how the Border Patrol is enforcing immigration laws.
She is upset because videos show agents using tear gas and force in neighborhoods, sometimes without warning, and even around children.
This might be against her earlier orders.
The judge has told the head of the Border Patrol in Chicago, Gregory Bovino, to come to court every day for a week so she can talk to him about what his agents are doing.
She also wants him to get his own body camera and training by the end of the week.
Mr. Bovino says his agents were attacked and gave warnings.
The judge is also demanding that the government give her all reports and videos about how force was used.
A federal judge ordered Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino to appear in court daily for a week and obtain a body camera and training.
Judge Sara Ellis criticized the agency's use of tear gas and force, citing videos that suggest violations of her prior court order.
Videos showed agents deploying tear gas in a residential neighborhood without warning, affecting children dressed for Halloween.
Bovino stated that agents faced aggression, including fireworks and rocks being thrown, and that warnings were issued before using chemicals.
The judge also mandated that the administration provide reports on the use of force and body camera footage in Chicago by Friday.
- Who
- U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis and Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino
- What
- Judge Ellis ordered Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino to appear in court daily for a week and obtain a body camera and training, criticizing his agency's use of tear gas and force.
- When
- Tuesday, with daily court appearances for the following week and a deadline of Friday for reports and equipment.
- Where
- Chicago
- Why
- Videos submitted to the court appeared to show Border Patrol agents violating a judge's prior order by using tear gas and crowd-control tactics without sufficient warnings, even in residential areas affecting children.
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino
Use of Force and Tear Gas
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis
Videos suggest Border Patrol agents, under Bovino's leadership, used tear gas and force without adequate warnings, potentially violating a court order. She cited an incident where tear gas was used in a residential neighborhood, affecting children dressed for Halloween, stating such individuals do not pose an immediate threat. Protests do not warrant the use of tear gas.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino
DHS stated agents were surrounded by a large group during an operation, and some individuals shot fireworks and threw rocks, hitting Commander Bovino. They assert warnings were given before deploying chemicals, and decisions on using force are 'dependent on the situation.'
Body Camera Usage
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis
Judge Ellis questioned why Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino did not have a body camera and the required training, despite previous orders for agents to wear them when available.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) / Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino
Bovino stated that while '99%' of Border Patrol personnel in Chicago had body cameras, he had not personally received one or the training.
- Judge
- U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis
- Border Patrol Official
- Commander-at-large Gregory Bovino
- Location
- Chicago
- Operation Name
- Operation Midway Blitz
- Key Incident
- Tear gas deployment in Old Irving Park residential neighborhood, potentially affecting children. Agents tackled residents.
- Lawsuit Context
- Challenge to the legality of tactics used by officials in Trump's immigration crackdown.
- Judge's Order for Bovino
- Appear daily in court for a week, obtain a body camera and training by Friday.
- Judge's Order for Administration
- Submit reports on use of force and body camera footage by Friday, and provide material going forward.