CHICAGO (AP) — In a significant legal development, Greg Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official known for his enforcement actions in Chicago and Los Angeles, is due in court on Tuesday to answer questions about the recent immigration operations in the Chicago area.
These operations have resulted in over 1,800 arrests and have been marred by serious allegations of excessive force, including noted incidents of agents deploying tear gas against peaceful protesters. The hearing follows a ruling earlier this month from U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, who ordered agents to wear body cameras following complaints of inappropriate conduct during enforcement actions.
Bovino, who heads the El Centro Border Patrol sector in California, faces accusations himself of using tear gas during these confrontations. As tensions rise, Ellis has extended the duration of questioning for Bovino to ensure comprehensive responses regarding the recent use of force employed by agents, especially in the Little Village area.
During recent operations in Little Village and Cicero, several arrests were made, sparking protests and further scrutiny of the Border Patrol's tactics. The judge's ruling was spurred by visible disobedience to her previous orders, demanding that agents only employ non-lethal measures against peaceful assembly, which were allegedly disregarded during recent confrontations.
Moreover, previous hearings have raised questions about the policy and management of force by federal agents, as Deputy Incident Commander Kyle Harvick noted the limited use of body cameras among the more than 200 Border Patrol operatives in Chicago. The growing controversy over these enforcement operations reflects wider concerns regarding immigration policies and their implementation under the current administration.
