CHICAGO (AP) — Newly released transcripts from private interviews with a senior U.S. Border Patrol official and other authorities involved in the immigration crackdown in the Chicago area reveal tense exchanges as leaders evaded questions regarding controversial uses of force.
Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol leader behind the operation that has resulted in more than 3,000 arrests since September, underwent a sworn deposition over three days in late October and early November. Following his time in Chicago, he is set to lead a similar operation in North Carolina, with another scheduled for New Orleans soon.
Hundreds of pages of deposition transcripts released recently shed light on key moments highlighted by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in a 223-page opinion this month, addressing allegations of federal agents' excessive force against protesters, journalists, and clergy.
Ellis had previously issued a preliminary injunction restricting agents from utilizing physical force and chemical agents, such as tear gas, unless necessary to prevent immediate threats. However, a federal appeals court temporarily halted this injunction, which prompted a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson to describe the ruling as beneficial for law enforcement safety.
Contentious Depositions Highlight Clashes
The depositions quickly escalated tensions, particularly as U.S. Department of Justice attorney Sarmad Khojasteh reprimanded a plaintiffs' attorney for not adhering to professional decorum. A series of heated exchanges ensued, illustrating the contentious atmosphere.
Bovino’s responses throughout the deposition were frequently evasive, as he defended the actions of his agents, labeling protesters as violent rioters. His testimony regarding usage of tear gas during a protest was notably contradictory, culminating in an admission of prior misstatements.
During questioning about a recent protest in the Little Village neighborhood, Bovino's statements shifted, revealing inconsistencies in his accounts of the events. He defended the use of force but later acknowledged he had not reviewed pertinent footage of the incidents.
Federal Officials Displaying Similar Evasiveness
Other depositional interviews with federal officials, including Russell Hott of ICE, showed patterns of dodging questions regarding the used tactics and training. Hott admitted to having no regular training in crowd control, despite overseeing operations involving heightened tensions and altering strategies following oversight from state police.
Evidence from Ellis’s critique pointed toward a misalignment between Border Patrol tactics and urban settings, raising concerns about safety and appropriateness in managing protests. As officials continue to face scrutiny, the ramifications of their actions remain pivotal in ongoing discussions about immigration enforcement practices.
