It was supposed to be a fun Halloween weekend in Chicago, with kids in capes and costumes roaming the streets for candy. Instead, thick clouds of tear gas turned the night into chaos.
Now, Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol chief leading Trump’s immigration raids, is being ordered to appear in court every weekday to explain his team’s actions. The move comes after a federal judge said enough is enough with his tactics in sanctuary cities.
Key Takeaways
- Judge Sara L. Ellis is forcing daily court appearances from Border Chief Gregory Bovino.
- The decision follows tear gas use during kids’ Halloween parades in Chicago.
- Operation Midway Blitz led to nearly 3,000 arrests since September.
- Court orders include body cameras, full reports, and zero tolerance near children’s events.
- Public reaction is split — some call Bovino a patriot, others call him reckless.
The Man at the Center of the Storm
Gregory Bovino has served 25 years with the U.S. Border Patrol, most recently as Chief Patrol Agent for California’s El Centro Sector near the Mexico border.
His background includes counter-narcotics operations, human smuggling crackdowns, and large-scale raids under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
In 2025, Bovino became Trump’s main enforcer for city raids. His earlier missions in Los Angeles drew attention for their aggressive style breaking into vehicles and using helicopters for support. Now, Chicago has become the latest test ground for his approach.
He appears in court in green fatigues, responding with brief “Yes, ma’am” replies. Supporters describe him as tough and disciplined, while critics accuse him of using excessive force and turning neighborhoods into battle zones.
Allegations have surfaced of tear gas being used near schools and family gatherings, prompting lawsuits and public outrage. With Trump reshuffling ICE leadership, many see Bovino’s rise as part of a wider shift toward stricter enforcement.
The Court Hearing That Changed Everything
On October 28, Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Courthouse became the stage for a heated exchange between Bovino and Judge Sara L. Ellis, an Obama appointee known for her direct approach.
She questioned why his agents appeared to ignore a temporary restraining order (TRO) from earlier in the month. The order banned tear gas and pepper balls unless there was a clear threat.
Video evidence showed otherwise. In Little Village on October 24, Bovino was seen throwing tear gas canisters into a crowd of protesters without warning.
Three days later, in Old Irving Park, agents deployed gas minutes before a children’s parade, causing panic and injuries. “Kids in Halloween costumes do not pose an immediate threat,” Ellis said sharply.
Judge Ellis’s Orders: Accountability on the Clock
| Order | Details | Deadline / Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Court Check-Ins | Bovino must appear in court every weekday at 6 p.m. to report on arrests and TRO compliance. | Starts immediately through November 5. |
| Body Cameras for All Agents | Every agent must wear one, and Bovino will also use one. | By October 31. |
| Full Paper Trail | Submit all use-of-force reports and body-cam footage since September 2. | Effective immediately. |
| No Force Near Kids’ Events | Ban on using any riot control tactics near parades or public gatherings involving children. | Ongoing policy. |
Ellis warned that failure to comply could lead to contempt charges. Lawsuits have also been filed by the Chicago Headline Club and immigrant advocacy groups, claiming violations of press and protest rights.
“The goal isn’t to stop law enforcement,” Ellis said, “but to make sure it stays within the law.”
Public Reaction: Divided and Loud
Social media platforms, especially X, exploded after the ruling. Searches for “Gregory Bovino” spiked by 300% in a single day.
Pro-Bovino supporters (around 40%) argue he’s a hero bringing safety to a city struggling with crime. Posts with tags like #BorderPatrolHero and #HonorFirst praise him for making tough decisions.
Opponents (around 50%) call him a “bully in uniform”, accusing him of using military-style force on civilians. Videos showing tear gas near children’s parades gained tens of thousands of shares across platforms.
A smaller neutral group (10%) focuses on updates and official news reports, trying to understand the legal back-and-forth rather than taking sides.
What Comes Next
The standoff in Chicago could shape future immigration enforcement across U.S. cities. Bovino’s earlier raids in Los Angeles and the growing talk of using the Insurrection Act point toward a broader national push.
For residents, this means more visibility of federal agents, protests, and legal fights ahead. Judge Ellis’s decision sets a clear line security cannot come at the cost of public safety and constitutional rights.
As Bovino begins his daily reports, the spotlight stays fixed. Whether this accountability will cool the tensions or spark a wider conflict remains to be seen. One thing is clear: America is watching closely.
