Judge Slams Border Chief Over Tear Gas Use Amid Halloween Parade

UPDATE: A Chicago judge has unleashed a scathing rebuke on US Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino after agents deployed tear gas in a neighborhood where children were preparing for a Halloween parade, violating a previous court order. During a tense court appearance on October 31, 2023, US District Court Judge Sara Ellis expressed outrage over the incident that shattered the safety of local families.

Judge Ellis confronted Bovino regarding the use of tear gas in Old Irving Park over the weekend, asserting it was unjustifiable given the circumstances. “These kids, you can imagine, their sense of safety was shattered,” Ellis stated, emphasizing the emotional toll on children expecting a festive parade. She condemned the reckless deployment of riot control measures, stating, “We don’t want kids worrying about getting tear-gassed.”

The incident unfolded on Saturday as Border Patrol agents targeted Luis Villegas, an undocumented immigrant who has lived in the U.S. since he was four years old. Eyewitnesses reported that agents used excessive force, including placing a US citizen in a chokehold and pointing weapons at peaceful protesters. “This violates the restraining order on its face,” Ellis declared, referring to the earlier ruling that restricted the use of chemical agents unless officers faced immediate danger.

As families emerged to protest the federal presence, Border Patrol agents resorted to tear gas after being confronted by angry neighbors. A former Cook County prosecutor who witnessed the scene confirmed that the agents were never under threat.

Judge Ellis ordered Bovino to appear daily in her courtroom to provide updates on his agents’ actions. She insisted all officers be equipped with body cameras and required the submission of reports and footage from the incident by Friday, November 3, 2023. A hearing on making the restraining order permanent is scheduled for November 5, 2023.

The ramifications of this incident are profound, as families in the community are left shaken. “That’s not how any of us want to live,” Ellis asserted, stressing the need for a safe environment for local children. The situation has ignited a wave of public outrage, prompting discussions about the appropriate use of force by federal agents.

As developments continue to unfold, the community remains on edge, grappling with the implications of this heavy-handed approach to immigration enforcement. The upcoming hearings will be closely watched, as many seek accountability and transparency from federal law enforcement amidst growing concerns over public safety and civil liberties.