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CHICAGO — A U.S. federal judge has ordered ICE agents in Chicago to wear body cameras during enforcement operations following reports of violent confrontations with protesters. The move comes amid growing concern over the agency’s handling of arrests and public demonstrations in the city.
Judge Orders Immediate Oversight
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued the ruling Thursday, expressing alarm after viewing TV footage of street clashes involving tear gas and aggressive tactics.
“I live in Chicago,” Ellis said. “And I’m not blind.”
The judge’s decision follows months of escalating tensions between local communities and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Since September, more than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested in the region under the ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Growing Public Tensions
Protests have become frequent outside ICE’s Broadview facility near Chicago. Community groups now track and record ICE activity to document potential abuses.
Governor JB Pritzker supported the judge’s order, accusing federal officials of misleading the public about previous incidents, including a fatal shooting last month. “They clearly lie about what goes on,” Pritzker told reporters. “It’s hard for us to know right away what the truth is.”
Accountability Through Cameras
Judge Ellis emphasized that ICE agents in Chicago must visibly wear badges and keep cameras on during all field operations.
“I’m adding that all agents in Operation Midway Blitz are to wear body-worn cameras,” she said. “And they are to be on.” Justice Department attorney Sean Skedzielewski argued that the media had shared “one-sided reports” and noted logistical challenges in distributing cameras immediately. Ellis replied that practical details could be finalized later but insisted the policy move forward.
The cameras, she said, would ensure evidence-backed transparency in how agents interact with civilians and protesters. Ellis also ordered the field director overseeing the operation to appear in court on Monday.
Background and Broader Context
ICE began distributing around 1,600 body cameras to agents nationwide in 2024, starting with offices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, New York, and Detroit. Other Homeland Security branches already require agents to wear cameras, with footage released publicly when force is used.
Earlier this week, a Cook County judge barred ICE from making courthouse arrests in Chicago and nearby suburbs, underscoring the growing legal and social scrutiny facing federal immigration enforcement.
For related coverage on U.S. immigration policy and law enforcement accountability, visit PhoenixQ Politics & Society.
