UPDATE: A Chicago judge has issued a stern rebuke to U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino after his agents deployed tear gas in a neighborhood where children were preparing for a Halloween parade. This incident, which occurred over the weekend in Old Irving Park, directly violated a previous court order restricting the use of such chemical agents.
During a tense court appearance on October 31, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis expressed outrage at the actions of Border Patrol agents, highlighting that their use of tear gas has shattered the safety and peace families expect during community events. “These kids, you can imagine, their sense of safety was shattered,” Ellis stated, emphasizing the lasting emotional impact on the children.
Ellis criticized Bovino for failing to adhere to her earlier restraining order, which prohibits the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from using riot control weapons against those not posing an immediate threat. She demanded accountability, stating, “Kids should feel they’re able to go to local Halloween events without having to worry about getting tear-gassed.”
The chaos unfolded as Border Patrol agents targeted Luis Villegas, an undocumented immigrant, in the neighborhood. Witnesses reported that agents deployed tear gas after local residents confronted them, demanding they leave. A former Cook County prosecutor, who observed the incident, stated, “The agents were never under any threat.”
In the courtroom, Ellis pressed Bovino on multiple recent incidents where federal agents used excessive force, including pointing a gun at a peaceful protester. The judge described video evidence showing agents placing a U.S. citizen in a chokehold, further highlighting the inappropriate use of force.
“It is going to take a long time to come back, if ever,” Judge Ellis remarked on the psychological impact faced by the children in the community.
In response to the judge’s concerns, Bovino acknowledged that the use of tear gas in this context was unjustifiable. Ellis ordered him to appear in her courtroom daily to provide updates on his agents’ actions, reinforcing her commitment to oversight. She also mandated that all officers be equipped with body cameras and required him to submit reports on use-of-force incidents and corresponding footage by Friday.
A follow-up hearing has been scheduled for November 5, 2023, to decide whether to make Ellis’s restraining order on riot control munitions permanent.
This intense courtroom exchange has sparked outrage in the community and raised urgent questions about the protocols and accountability of federal immigration agents. Residents and local officials are calling for immediate reform to ensure the safety and well-being of families in their neighborhoods.
As this story develops, it underscores the critical need for transparency and responsible use of authority in law enforcement, especially in sensitive community settings.
