...
By Mandy Taheri and Gabe Whisnant
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A federal judge on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction against federal agents in Chicago to limit the use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis's move comes in response to a lawsuit alleging agents used excessive force during an immigration crackdown in the Chicago area.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson told Newsweek that the injunction is "an extreme act by an activist judge that risks the lives and livelihoods of law enforcement officers."
Why It Matters
Chicago has been in the immigration spotlight for weeks amid lawsuits over President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to the city, federal authorities' clashes with protesters, and ramped-up immigration enforcement efforts as part of Operation Midway Blitz. More than 1,000 people have been arrested in the efforts, according to the Associated Press.
Read More on News
Ellis had previously issued a temporary order forbidding federal agents from using tear gas and other "riot control" against peaceful demonstrators. The new preliminary injunction comes as another federal judge ordered authorities to improve conditions at the Chicago-suburb Broadview immigration detention facility after detainees sued, alleging they were held in “inhumane” conditions.
What To Know
Ellis's ruling comes after hearing testimony in the case, some of which spoke to people's encounters with armed federal agents as well as U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino over October footage appearing to show him deploying tear gas in the city.
Ellis said Bovino “admitted that he lied about whether a rock hit him before he deployed tear gas in Little Village.” She also said she found that "the use of force shocks the conscience," and that this conduct "shows no sign of stopping."
She said she finds the defendant's evidence "simply not credible."
The order, expected to be appealed by the Trump administration, expands an earlier directive requiring agents to wear badges.
Ellis also ordered agents to wear body cameras after criticizing officials for failing to comply with previous court orders. The cameras, she said, would provide concrete evidence of how agents are handling confrontations with protesters.
...
What People Are Saying
A DHS spokesperson told Newsweek on Thursday: "Rioters, gangbangers, and terrorists have opened fire on our federal law enforcement officers, thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at them, slashed the tires of their vehicles, rammed them, ambushed them, and they have destroyed multiple law enforcement vehicles. Despite these real dangers, our law enforcement shows incredible restraint in exhausting all options before force is escalated. DHS law enforcement will continue to enforce the laws of our nation, just as they do every day across the country. We shall appeal.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker told reporters on Thursday about the ruling: "They [the administration] clearly lie about what goes on. It’s hard for us to know right away what the truth is.”
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote in a Thursday X post: "BIG. Judge Ellis' expanded preliminary injunction in Chicago aims to more aggressively limit DHS's use of riot munitions."
What Happens Next
Ellis said the order will remain in effect "pending further proceedings."
Update 11/6/25, 3:13 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from a DHS spokesperson and additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines