Appeals Court Blocks order Restricting Federal Agents’ Use of Force in Chicago immigration Crackdown
CHICAGO – A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a judge’s order that restricted the use of force by federal agents during immigration enforcement in Chicago, escalating a legal battle over the Trump administration’s nationwide crackdown. The ruling, issued today, pauses restrictions imposed by U.S. District Judge John Ellis, who had expressed skepticism about the tactics employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents.
The appeals court judges cautioned against “overreading” the initial order, stating they have a “ream of facts to consider” and that more tailored restrictions addressing First and Fourth Amendment claims may be appropriate. The case stems from a lawsuit filed by protesters and detainees challenging the federal government’s escalating immigration enforcement tactics.
Judge Ellis had repeatedly questioned the credibility of statements made by ICE officials and federal attorneys in court. He specifically challenged the DHS’s justification for using force during a confrontation with protesters,where agents claimed a DHS official,Gregory Bovino,was struck in the head with a rock. Video evidence contradicted this claim, and “defendant Bovino admitted that he lied,” according to the judge.
The appeals panel also signaled concerns about the ongoing relevance of the Chicago-based lawsuit, noting the shift in federal enforcement efforts. While the federal presence in Chicago has diminished, agents are now “flooding into Charlotte, North Carolina, and prepare to enter New Orleans,” according to reports.
The Trump administration is currently facing numerous legal challenges as it pursues a large-scale national immigration crackdown, with federal agents conducting mass arrests of migrants across states including Tennessee, California, Oregon, and Illinois. Thes actions have prompted lawsuits from protesters, detainees, and state and local governments opposing the administration’s tactics.
