Restrictions on feds’ use of force against protesters and journalists were extended last week after a judge said top immigration officials lied in testimony about threats posed.
Throughout “Operation Midway Blitz,” the Department of Homeland Security has lied to Chicagoans on several proven accounts.
Bovino Said Protestors Threw a Rock Before He Threw Tear Gas
Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino was caught on video tossing a tear gas canister into a Little Village crowd in October. This action apparently violated a federal order limiting agents’ use of riot weapons.
As justification, Bovino claimed protestors threw a rock at him first — this was not true. In addition to video evidence disproving the rock claim, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said that in Bovino’s own testimony, “He ultimately admitted he was not hit until after he threw the tear gas."
Noem Said U.S. Citizens Aren’t Being Detained
“There’s no American citizens that have been arrested or detained,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a press conference Oct. 30. That’s simply not true.
In September, Noem led an Elgin raid where two U.S. citizens were detained. Later that month, immigration agents raided a South Shore apartment, pulling out dozens of U.S. citizens in a single night.
In October, a family in Gary, Indiana, was forced out of their home with three U.S.-born citizens taken into custody. So far, a 14-year-old citizen remains in custody.
Zooming out beyond Chicago, ProPublica found that 170 citizens have been held by immigration agents since Trump took office.
DHS Said ICE Did Not Arrest a Teacher Inside a Preschool
Federal agents entered a preschool in North Center last week, arresting a teacher in front of students and parents. Agents followed the woman inside from her parked car, and video of the incident quickly spread across Chicago.
In the clip, agents rush into the daycare center — a private business — and drag out the woman who says in Spanish, "I have papers."
After her arrest, U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez rushed over to the preschool where she said she saw ICE agents checking classrooms for teachers in front of children.
The following day, DHS released a statement saying “ICE law enforcement did NOT target a Daycare,” adding that the woman was arrested in the vestibule and “not in the school.”
ICE technically needs a warrant or permission to enter any school. That didn’t happen in North Center, and as immigration raids continue, attendance is dropping at Chicago schools.
Meanwhile, a federal judge has blocked the deportation of the daycare teacher.
