U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has intensified court oversight of President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration crackdown in Chicago, known as Operation Midway Blitz. During a heated hearing, Ellis ordered Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino to appear in court daily and submit detailed reports on the use of force by his agents, including incidents involving tear gas and physical altercations with protesters and bystanders.
The judge’s actions follow multiple reports and videos showing federal agents using riot-control weapons in residential neighborhoods. Ellis criticized Bovino for his personal role in deploying tear gas during a protest, telling him to wear a body camera and receive training immediately. Her order also mandates that all agents activate their body cameras during enforcement operations and that the Department of Homeland Security provide body-cam footage and reports from September 2 onward.
The lawsuit before Ellis accuses Trump administration officials of violating constitutional rights through aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. Plaintiffs presented video evidence showing agents firing tear gas and tackling residents, despite a prior court order limiting the use of such force. Ellis condemned the actions, noting one incident where children on their way to a Halloween parade were exposed to tear gas. “Kids dressed in costumes do not pose a threat,” she said, urging federal agents to respect the safety of Chicago’s communities.
Despite objections from the U.S. Justice Department, Ellis refused to pause her oversight order. Bovino, who also led a similar operation in Los Angeles, acknowledged that while most agents have cameras, he personally lacks one. Ellis demanded compliance by Friday. Trump’s attempt to deploy the National Guard in Illinois to support the operation has been blocked by another court, leaving federal authorities under strict judicial scrutiny.