Chicago's Halloween Nightmare: Judge Demands Answers from Border Patrol Chief

In Chicago, a federal judge has had enough. She's tired of seeing kids in Halloween costumes get tear-gassed. Judge Sara Ellis wants daily reports from Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino.

Agents Break Court Orders

Federal agents are supposed to follow a court order. They can't just use tear gas or pepper spray on anyone they want. But that's exactly what they did. They used chemical irritants on people in Old Irving Park and Avondale. Kids were about to march in a Halloween parade. They were scared. Their sense of safety was shattered.

Repeated Incidents

This isn't the first time. Last week, Bovino himself was caught on video tear-gassing a crowd in Little Village. The judge said agents didn't give any warnings before using force. They just did it.

Bovino's Response

Bovino didn't deny or defend his agents' actions. He said each situation is different. But the judge wasn't having it. She wants every agent to wear a body camera. Bovino said most agents have them, but there are challenges. The judge said he should have one by Friday. He agreed.

The judge also wants to see Bovino every day. She wants to know about any incidents. He agreed to that too.

Agents' Claims vs. Reality

Federal officials say agents only use tear gas when there's a threat. But videos don't show that. In one incident, Bovino and his agents made stops at a Home Depot and a laundromat. They arrested seven people, including two U.S. citizens. Neighbors were outraged. A standoff happened.

The Department of Homeland Security said neighbors provoked the agents. But the video doesn't show that. It doesn't show protesters throwing rocks or fireworks. It doesn't show agents warning the crowd before using tear gas.

Ongoing Lawsuit

This is all part of a lawsuit. Block Club Chicago and other organizations are suing over agents' violent tactics. The judge is concerned. She said her order isn't being followed. Agents keep using tear gas and other violent tactics.

Since then, agents have tear-gassed neighbors in Cicero, Little Village, Lakeview, and Old Irving Park. They've disrupted a Halloween parade and scared kids. Nearly 3,000 people have been arrested. But Homeland Security hasn't released detailed data. So, it's hard to verify Bovino's claim.