Judge orders CBP official leading immigration crackdown to appear in Chicago court next week
A judge has ordered Greg Bovino, a top U.S. Customs and Border Protection official, to appear in court next week for proceedings in a lawsuit against the federal government over immigration enforcement tactics in Chicago.
Bovino, who is commanding CBP field operations in the city for “Operation Midway Blitz,” has been ordered to appear in person for a status hearing on Tuesday in federal court in Chicago, according to a court filing on Friday.
USBP Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro sector, Greg Bovino, speaks with federal agents in the Cicero neighborhood during an immigration raid, n Chicago, Oct. 22, 2025.
Jim Vondruska/Reuters
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit — journalists and demonstrators — have alleged violations of a temporary restraining order issued by Ellis earlier this month that restricts ICE and CBP agents from using non-lethal munitions without warning and justification.
On Thursday, the plaintiffs submitted a notice of alleged violation that included a video that they contend shows Bovino tossing a canister of tear gas “without justification” toward a crowd of protesters this week in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
An image included in a court filing by plaintiffs that they say shows a still from a video filmed in Chicago in which they circled a canister they claim Greg Bovino threw.
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Bovino deployed “riot control measures” after “rioters” threw rocks and other objects at agents while Border Patrol agents were conducting immigration enforcement operations. Bovino was struck in the head but was not seriously injured, DHS said.
“Border Patrol agents repeated multiple warnings to back up and that chemical agents would be deployed if warnings were ignored,” McLaughlin said in a statement on Friday. “Riot control measures were deployed, including by Chief Bovino, and arrests were made. Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public.”
A federal agent throws a tear gas canister during clashes with community members on the South Side of Chicago, Oct. 14, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention.
Jim Vondruska/Reuters
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis had previously issued an order allowing the plaintiffs to depose Bovino for two hours; on Thursday, she expanded the time allotted for the deposition to five hours.
