Chicago, IL — U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis pressed federal officials Monday over the handling of protests in Chicago, seeking clarity on agency responsibilities, enforcement practices, and compliance with her orders amid Operation Midway Blitz. The operation, initiated by the Trump administration, involved a significant ICE presence across Chicagoland, leading to more than 1,000 arrests of migrants across Illinois between September 8 and October 3, according to DHS.
During the hearing, Ellis expressed concern over whether her prior restraining order—limiting federal agents’ use of force, crowd control tactics, and interactions with journalists—was being consistently enforced. She added a requirement for body-worn cameras, directing all agents on the ground to activate them when encountering demonstrators. While her original order required all agents to wear cameras, exemptions remain for undercover personnel, agents not in uniform, or those exempted under Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ICE, or DHS policies.
CBP Deputy Incident Commander Kyle Harvick confirmed that all CBP agents in Chicago, numbering over 200, are equipped with body cameras and are trained to use them. ICE officials, however, indicated that Special Response Teams have not been issued cameras. ICE Deputy Field Office Director Shawn Byers explained that the program was limited to a few field offices and would require congressional approval to expand.
Byers noted that ICE agents receive extensive training in handling protests, including procedures for arrests and use-of-force guidelines. Special Response Team members stationed outside the Broadview Detention Facility, a frequent site of anti-immigration demonstrations, are also trained to engage with journalists. “As long as they’re in the media area, we shouldn’t have a problem with press,” Byers said.
Concerns over recent incidents were raised during the hearing. Reverend David Black described being struck by pepper balls while praying outside the Broadview facility, stating that no warning was given before force was deployed. Byers countered that Black had refused multiple commands to leave federal property.
The hearing also highlighted the complexity of federal leadership in Chicago. Harvick emphasized that reports of tear gas deployment in Albany Park have been denied by the White House, though he admitted he had not witnessed the events personally. ICE review procedures were outlined, with use-of-force reports evaluated by agency leadership, the Office of Professional Responsibility, and a dedicated review committee.
The revolving nature of federal leadership in Chicago was underscored, with Byers noting that the Special Response Team reports directly to him while overall ICE leadership in the region has experienced frequent changes. Ellis indicated that she plans to depose Russell Hott, the former interim head of ICE’s Chicago field office, as well as Gregory Bovino, CBP’s chief patrol agent, to gain firsthand accounts of the protests and enforcement actions.
Ellis’ ongoing scrutiny underscores the judiciary’s active role in monitoring federal law enforcement conduct amid high-profile demonstrations and the continuing debate over crowd control tactics and civil rights protections.