Chicago Judge Limits Border Patrol's Use of Force After Tear Gas Incident

A recent court ruling has put a damper on the Border Patrol's aggressive tactics in Chicago. Judge Sara Ellis has put limits on how immigration agents can use force during arrests and protests. This comes after a Border Patrol commander admitted he lied about a tear gas incident. The incident in question happened on October 23. Commander Greg Bovino threw tear gas at protesters without warning. Video shows he did this even though he claimed a rock hit him first. The judge said this was a violation of her earlier order. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially backed Bovino. They said protesters were violent and threw rocks at agents. But the video evidence didn't support this. Bovino later admitted he wasn't hit by a rock until after he threw the tear gas. The judge also mentioned other incidents where federal agents used excessive force. In one case, agents threw flash-bang grenades and tear gas at protesters who were standing far away. The judge said this raised questions about the agents' actions. Bovino defended his actions in a court deposition. He said all uses of force were "exemplary. " But the judge didn't agree. She issued a preliminary injunction to limit the use of force by immigration agents. The DHS criticized the judge's decision. They said it puts law enforcement at risk. They plan to appeal the order. But for now, the limits on force remain in place. This ruling is a big deal. It shows that even federal agents must follow the rules. It also highlights the importance of video evidence in court cases. The judge's decision could have big implications for future protests and immigration enforcement.