Federal agents have been caught on camera using aggressive tactics during a months-long deportation blitz in the Chicago area, with many incidents showing "unprecedented" use of force.
The footage, released by US District Judge Sara Ellis, includes body-worn cameras that show immigration agents enthusiastically deploying tear gas into crowds without warning, causing car chases, and repeatedly lying about the reasoning for their actions.
In one incident on September 19, agents fired tear gas at protesters who were blocking ICE vehicles from leaving a facility in suburban Broadview. The protesters were seen holding signs peacefully across the street, but agents launched stun grenades, tear gas, and pepper balls into the crowd as soon as they left the facility.
Another video shows an agent trying to deploy a pursuit immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, on a red SUV without being certified in the method. He was heard saying "I'm not certified, bro" before asking for spike strips. The vehicle eventually crashed, and agents continued chasing people on foot despite having already achieved their goal.
A US Border Patrol commander, Gregory Bovino, repeatedly lied about the reasons behind deploying tear gas at protesters in Little Village on October 23. Bovino initially claimed he used tear gas after someone threw a rock at his head but later admitted to being mistaken while maintaining that there was a "large crowd of rioters" present.
The footage also shows agents firing pepper balls at protesters, including one shot at point-blank range, and agents deploying tear gas at close range. In some cases, protesters were seen throwing back tear gas canisters towards the agents.
Experts say these tactics are not in line with professional policing practices and that they heighten safety risks, erode public confidence in police officers, and discourage people from cooperating with them. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for greater accountability among federal law enforcement agencies.
The release of this footage comes as part of a broader investigation into the use of force by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz. While some of the tactics used by agents have been defended as necessary to maintain order, many others appear to be excessive and unjustified.
The footage, released by US District Judge Sara Ellis, includes body-worn cameras that show immigration agents enthusiastically deploying tear gas into crowds without warning, causing car chases, and repeatedly lying about the reasoning for their actions.
In one incident on September 19, agents fired tear gas at protesters who were blocking ICE vehicles from leaving a facility in suburban Broadview. The protesters were seen holding signs peacefully across the street, but agents launched stun grenades, tear gas, and pepper balls into the crowd as soon as they left the facility.
Another video shows an agent trying to deploy a pursuit immobilization technique, or PIT maneuver, on a red SUV without being certified in the method. He was heard saying "I'm not certified, bro" before asking for spike strips. The vehicle eventually crashed, and agents continued chasing people on foot despite having already achieved their goal.
A US Border Patrol commander, Gregory Bovino, repeatedly lied about the reasons behind deploying tear gas at protesters in Little Village on October 23. Bovino initially claimed he used tear gas after someone threw a rock at his head but later admitted to being mistaken while maintaining that there was a "large crowd of rioters" present.
The footage also shows agents firing pepper balls at protesters, including one shot at point-blank range, and agents deploying tear gas at close range. In some cases, protesters were seen throwing back tear gas canisters towards the agents.
Experts say these tactics are not in line with professional policing practices and that they heighten safety risks, erode public confidence in police officers, and discourage people from cooperating with them. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for greater accountability among federal law enforcement agencies.
The release of this footage comes as part of a broader investigation into the use of force by immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz. While some of the tactics used by agents have been defended as necessary to maintain order, many others appear to be excessive and unjustified.
Just watched the crazy clip from that deportation blitz in Chicago... 
They were trying to intimidate people into leaving peacefully. The PIT maneuver was super reckless too... how can they not be certified in something as intense? 
u know imo these vids r crazy... i was watching them & it made me so mad. theyre basically beating ppl with pepper balls like theres no tomorrow 
i got a friend who's been stopped by ICE & they were all shook up. they said the agent was being super aggressive & rude... like wut r u even doing, dude? 
these tactics arent professional policing, its more like some kinda military thing... and we dont need that kinda power over ppl 
. I mean, I get that law enforcement has a tough job, but this is just ridiculous! They're using tear gas on peaceful protesters and lying about why they did it? That's not policing, that's just intimidation tactics 
. And the fact that agents were trying to do a PIT maneuver without being certified?! What if someone gets seriously hurt? 
.
Ugh, this is so messed up 
It's like they think they're above the law or something 
They need to get their act together and learn some basic policing skills 101 
. These tactics are scaring people away from cooperating with them, and who can blame them? 
It's time for some real accountability 
. And the fact that they're lying about their reasons for deploying tear gas is just ridiculous. It's not like it's some kind of high-speed chase movie where you gotta think on your feet, it's people with signs across the street from an immigration facility 
.