A federal judge has ordered ICE agents in the Chicago area to wear body cameras, citing concerns that they are not following one of her previous orders. The judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, was reportedly disturbed by recent images of violent clashes between anti-ICE protesters and federal law enforcement. The images, which she described as leaving her “a little startled,” prompted her to demand clarity on how enforcement tactics are being employed during operations.
During a recent court hearing, Judge Sara Ellis expressed her concerns over the use of tear gas without prior warnings to the public. “The field director is going to explain to me why I am seeing images of tear gas being deployed and reading reports that there were no warnings given out in the field,” she said in court, as reported by The New York Times. This follows her earlier ruling which barred ICE agents from using certain riot control tactics against peaceful protesters and journalists.
Despite these orders, tensions have continued to escalate, with ICE agents reportedly using tear gas and other measures as protests against immigration enforcement efforts intensify. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has faced criticism over its handling of an incident in Chicago where two illegal immigrants rammed a Border Patrol vehicle, leading to a violent clash with protesters and the use of tear gas by federal agents.
Following a different federal court order, an eight-foot fence surrounding the ICE facility in Broadview, Ill., was removed on Tuesday, after it was deemed to have been built without permission on a public street. Local officials had previously informed the federal government about the illegal construction, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
The incident, which resulted in the arrest of two illegal immigrants, led to a chaotic scene, with federal officers using tear gas and exposing multiple Chicago police officers to the riot control agent. Although no formal court order has yet been issued requiring agents to wear body cameras, Judge Ellis has stated that the field director of the enforcement operation must appear in court Monday to address the situation. Meanwhile, the White House has declined to comment, citing the need for the full order before engaging with the issue. The Justice Department, however, has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of immediately providing cameras to agents and has blamed one-sided media reports for fueling public concerns.
Political tensions have further intensified as President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for his handling of anti-ICE protests, calling for his arrest. Pritzker has responded by condemning the Trump administration’s immigration policies and criticizing efforts to undermine state and local governments in the process. With these tensions continuing to mount, the situation in Chicago remains a focal point of broader national debates on immigration enforcement, transparency, and the role of local governments in handling federal operations.