Judge orders immigration agents in Chicago to use body cams
But the logistics of enforcing his order have not yet been worked out, since Chicago was not included in previous ICE body camera programs, and the government shutdown could complicate the acquisition and distribution of new equipment. Despite the shutdown, ICE continued its efforts to arrest and deport immigrants in an effort, it said, to “preserve national security and public safety.”
Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-TimesEllis was quoted as saying, “I wouldn’t require people to turn on a body camera that they don’t have,” following objections raised by Justice Department attorney Sean Skedzielewski.
The decision is an expansion of a temporary restraining order issued by Ellis last week, limiting the use of certain dispersal tactics, including the use of riot control weapons like pepper spray and tear gas. These tactics have reportedly been regularly used against protesters and journalists, part of a worrying pattern of repression of freedom of expression and the press. Ellis said she was “deeply concerned” that her order was not being followed and ordered the director of ICE’s Chicago field office to appear in court Monday to explain himself.
Ellis appeared to have little patience with Skedzielewski and the government following reports that ICE agents fired tear gas into a crowd of protesters and police without warning and intentionally rammed a car in a residential neighborhood. CNN reports that Ellis told Skedzielewski, “I’m not happy,” with “exasperation evident in her voice.”
According to CNN, when Skedzielewski complained about the “enormous amount of resources” required to review hours of video every time an incident occurred, Ellis retorted: “There’s, you know, an easy way to not have to do that, right?”
Ellis’ orders aim to hold accountable ICE agents who largely acted with impunity during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Officers have been repeatedly documented using aggressive tactics, arresting elected officials, and have been seen wearing masks and without identification badges while arresting people on the street.
