U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis reprimanded Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino Tuesday, Oct. 28, for the tactics of the immigration enforcement operation known as Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, warning that children in Halloween costumes “do not pose an immediate threat” to agents, in reference to an incident where tear gas was used in a neighborhood before a children’s parade.
During the hearing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the judge indicated that she has received videos where federal agents deployed tear gas, rubber bullets and riot control tactics without issuing sufficient warnings, which contravenes a court order previously issued on Oct. 9. Ellis said, “Children in Halloween costumes walking toward a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer.”
Extraordinary court-imposed supervision
🎃 Chicago: ICE agents tear-gassed in the middle of children’s Halloween parade.
Neighbors and families fled amid screams and smoke.https://t.co/F7xmpLTlhY#ICE #Chicago #Migrants #Halloween pic.twitter.com/8sj39pUvGn– La Jornada (@lajornadaonline) October 28, 2025
Judge Sara Ellis issued an order requiring Bovino to appear in court every day at 6 p.m. to report on arrests and incidents that occur during the immigration operation.
It also demands that he hand over use-of-force reports, body-camera video and a list of agents clearly identified in the interventions since September 2.
Among the measures ordered are:
Mandatory use of body cameras by all federal agents in immigration operations in the Chicago area.
Prohibition of deploying tear gas, pepper balls or riot control munitions without prior warnings unless there is an immediate threat to the officer.
Visible identification of the agents: that they wear badges that clearly identify them as authorities.
Immigration raids on Halloween
Agents from @icegov fired tear gas in an immigration raid in #Chicago, just before a children’s #Halloween parade. Old Irving Park neighbors confronted the feds as they detained several suspects in the middle of a residential street. pic.twitter.com/XvVV3OjugfV
– ZuritaCarpio (@ZuritaCarpio) October 28, 2025
For those living in the U.S., especially in cities like Chicago with large Hispanic populations, this judicial oversight becomes directly relevant.
Immigration raids, already underway since early September under the operation, have generated fear in neighborhoods where immigrants, farm workers, domestic workers and mixed-status families live together.
This order from Judge Ellis seeks to ensure that federal interventions respect civil rights and that the presence of agents is carried out under supervision and transparency.
Steps to consider
If you are an immigrant or have family members who may be affected by an immigration enforcement operation, stay informed about Operation Midway Blitz and your rights.
Record videos or take notes if you observe attacks for no apparent reason or assaults by federal agents, as the court requires these records to be turned over.
Seek advice from an immigration attorney in case of interception or detention: knowing how to act can make all the difference.
Tuesday’s hearing marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between federal immigration and citizenship agencies, with special impact on the Hispanic community in Chicago and other cities.
This type of judicial intervention offers a way to demand that immigration actions are carried out within the legal and constitutional framework.
Los niños disfrazados de Halloween que caminan hacia un desfile no representan una amenaza inmediata para la seguridad de un agente del orden
Jueza Sara Ellis
Filed under: Immigration raids on Halloween
