CHICAGO (AP) — A federal immigration crackdown in the Chicago area will now be monitored more closely after a U.S. District Judge mandated that immigration officers must wear body cameras. Judge Sara Ellis expressed her surprise upon viewing troubling footage of confrontations between the public and agents during the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.
“I live in Chicago if folks haven’t noticed,” Ellis remarked, pointing out her aware observation of the tensions. In response to growing community outcry against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), where over 1,000 immigrant arrests have been recorded since September, local groups have mobilized to document ICE activities.
Separately, an initiative from the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops was recently blocked by another judge, adding to the scrutiny surrounding federal immigration enforcement actions. As part of her ruling last week, Judge Ellis demanded that agents display identification badges and prohibited them from employing certain aggressive techniques against peaceful demonstrators.
“I’m having concerns about my order being followed,” said Ellis as she underscored her apprehensions about compliance. The judge emphasized that all agents involved in what is termed Operation Midway Blitz are required to wear activated cameras.
U.S. Justice Department attorney Sean Skedzielewski indicated that implementing body cameras could face logistical challenges due to what he referred to as “one-sided and selectively edited media reports.” However, he acknowledged the delays in camera distribution without contesting the requirement factually.
Judge Ellis clarified that while she did not expect agents to wear cameras they do not possess currently, the administration could work out the specifics later on. The enforcement field director is required to appear in court shortly to address operational questions.
Body cameras have already been in use by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations, with 1,600 devices deployed in various major cities in 2024. This development reflects increasing trends among law enforcement agencies to enhance transparency, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection has also engaged in releasing body-camera footage after instances of force.
