Chicago — Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is expected to sit for a deposition Thursday morning as part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging federal immigration enforcement tactics in the Chicago area. The deposition, which plaintiff attorneys say may last up to five hours, comes as questions grow about the government’s response to persistent protests outside federal immigration facilities.
The legal showdown escalated Wednesday when the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked a lower-court order requiring Bovino to appear before U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis every weekday to provide updates on his agents’ activities. The decision arrived just hours before Bovino was scheduled to deliver his first briefing.
The Trump administration argued the requirement would pull a senior official away from critical national duties and cause “irreparable harm” to government operations. The Justice Department called Judge Ellis’ demand an “extraordinary intrusion” into executive authority.
The appeals court’s order pauses the directive while the panel reviews whether it should be scrapped altogether.
Operation Midway Blitz Under Scrutiny
Bovino has become the public face of “Operation Midway Blitz,” a targeted immigration enforcement initiative launched in September. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the operation has resulted in more than 3,000 arrests across the region.
But the heavy presence of federal agents — especially near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview — has fueled daily demonstrations. Activists, local clergy and journalists allege federal officers have escalated tensions, deploying tear gas and pepper munitions without warning.
Federal officials argue the protesters have increasingly threatened officers, justifying stronger crowd control measures.
Allegations of Excessive Force
Earlier this month, protest groups filed a lawsuit accusing the government of unlawful press restrictions and disproportionate force. Video clips presented to the court appear to show agents firing chemical agents at crowds absent any visible threat.
Judge Ellis responded by issuing a temporary restraining order barring agents from using less-lethal munitions unless there is an immediate safety risk. She also mandated clear verbal warnings, visible identification, and body-worn cameras.
“I do not want to get violation reports on Halloween,” Ellis cautioned Tuesday, raising concerns about children being exposed to tear gas during upcoming festivities.
Bovino Defends His Agents
Despite the pause on daily briefings, Bovino signaled readiness to face the court. Speaking on Fox News Wednesday, he said delivering daily reports would give the judge a “firsthand look” at what he described as the “extreme amount of violence” directed at federal officers.
He is also accused by plaintiffs of personally throwing a tear-gas canister into a crowd — an allegation DHS denies.
All use-of-force reports and body-camera footage from September 2 through last weekend must be submitted to the court under seal by the end of this week.
Next Steps
A hearing scheduled for next week will determine whether Judge Ellis’ temporary order will become a preliminary injunction — extending restrictions on federal crowd-control tactics.
For now, it remains unclear whether Bovino will appear in court Thursday morning as the appeals process unfolds.
DHS celebrated Wednesday’s ruling, calling the judge’s earlier directive “judicial overreach” that threatened national enforcement priorities.
The case continues to spotlight the balance — and tension — between civil liberties, press access, and the federal government’s immigration agenda in America’s third-largest city.