Court to Hear Claims Against Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino

CHICAGO, Illinois — Senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino will appear in court Tuesday to address allegations of using aggressive tactics against protesters during a demonstration in Little Village, a Chicago neighborhood, on Thursday.

Bovino, who is involved in a crackdown on illegal immigration as part of President Donald Trump’s administration, is accused of throwing tear gas into a crowd of peaceful protesters, possibly violating a judge’s order restricting the use of such tactics. This allegation is noted in a recent court filing against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filed by various media groups, protesters, and local clergy.

The complaint states that Bovino threw tear gas canisters at the crowd without justification while federal agents faced off against protesters. A video shared on social media appears to show the moment when he threw the canisters, although it does not clarify what led to the action or if warnings were issued beforehand.

DHS responded to the filing by asserting that their agents acted within the guidelines of their training and that they had announced warnings to protesters before deploying chemical agents. However, plaintiffs contest this claim, stating witnesses and videos show the demonstration was peaceful when Bovino allegedly launched the tear gas.

U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, who issued the restraining order earlier this month, has expressed doubts about adherence to her directives regarding crowd control methods. During a recent hearing, she noted her concerns over the use of force by federal agents in light of the ongoing protests.

Bovino’s actions come amid heightened tensions in Chicago, where federal agents have been deployed since early September. These operations have drawn criticism following incidents of excessive force, with protesters claiming federal law enforcement has employed brutish methods to suppress demonstrations.

In response to these developments, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the creation of a new commission to document federal enforcement practices in the state. This commission aims to address civil rights abuses related to immigration enforcement and recommend ways to prevent further harm.

The legal situation continues to evolve, as Bovino, who previously managed operations in California, faces scrutiny for his role in this complex enforcement landscape.