Judge orders CBP official leading immigration crackdown to appear in Chicago court next week

A judge ordered Greg Bovino to appear before a court next week in a lawsuit filed against the federal government for immigration enforcement tactics in Chicago.

According to a Friday court filing, Bovino is the CBP officer in charge of field operations for “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago. He has been ordered to attend a status hearing in Chicago federal court on Tuesday for an official status report.

The plaintiffs — journalists and protesters — in the lawsuit have alleged that ICE and CBP agents violated a temporary restraining orders issued by Ellis this month, which restricts them from using non-lethal munitions with no warning or justification.

The plaintiffs filed a notice on Thursday of an alleged violation, which included a video they claim shows Bovino throwing a tear gas canister “without justification,” toward a group of protesters in Chicago’s Little Village.

Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, said Bovino had deployed “riot-control measures” when “rioters”, who were throwing rocks and other objects towards Border Patrol agents conducting immigration enforcement operations at the time. DHS reported that Bovino had been struck in the face but was not seriously hurt.

McLaughlin stated in a Friday statement that Border Patrol agents had repeatedly warned to back up, and that chemical agents could be used if the warnings were not heeded. “Riot Control measures were deployed by Chief Bovino and arrests made. The agents used their training properly. CBP’s policy required the use of chemical weapons to ensure public safety and law enforcement.

The U.S. district judge had earlier issued an order that allowed the plaintiffs to question Bovino for a period of two hours. On Thursday, the time allocated for the deposition was increased to five hours.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-orders-cbp-official-leading-immigration-crackdown-chicago/story?id=126848307

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