U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is facing serious allegations of violating a federal judge’s temporary restraining order after footage allegedly showed him throwing tear gas canisters during an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago on Thursday.
The alleged incident occurred in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, marking the second straight day of clashes between federal officers and demonstrators.
A court filing includes a photo that appears to show Bovino throwing one or two tear gas canisters toward protesters, over the heads of the federal agents in front of him.
Attorneys argue that these alleged actions violate multiple sections of a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Sara Ellis earlier this month.
The restraining order was put in place after plaintiffs including journalism organizations, clergy members, and protesters, alleged that federal agents had used excessive force.
This week, two top officials from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) testified in federal court, asked by Judge Ellis to explain the use of force.
Bovino, who has overseen Operation Midway Blitz since September 7, is one of the defendants named in a federal lawsuit.
He previously stated that more than 2,700 arrests have been made during the ongoing operation.
In an interview on Thursday, Bovino defended the use of force by federal officers, calling it “exemplary,” and defining it as “the least amount of force necessary to accomplish the mission.”
He also claimed that, to his knowledge, no federal officers were under investigation or had been disciplined for the use of force.
Judge Ellis has set November 5 for a hearing where an injunction will be sought to make the temporary restraining order against the federal officials permanent.
Bovino and a top ICE agent are scheduled to be deposed at a later date.
