Chicago, IL - Newly released transcripts of private interviews with a senior U.S. Border Patrol official and other authorities leading the immigration crackdown in the Chicago area reveal tense exchanges as leaders dodged questions about high-profile uses of force.
Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol leader behind the operation that has netted more than 3,000 arrests since September, sat for the sworn deposition over three days in late October and early November. He left Chicago this month to lead a similar operation in North Carolina and is expected to oversee another in New Orleans starting as soon as next week.
Hundreds of pages of transcripts from the deposition shed light on key moments noted by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in a blistering 223-page opinion earlier this month in a lawsuit alleging federal agents used excessive force against protesters, journalists, and clergy members.
Ellis issued a preliminary injunction restricting agents from using physical force and chemical agents like tear gas and pepper balls unless necessary or to prevent an immediate threat. A federal appeals court later temporarily halted the order, with Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, calling the ruling a win for the rule of law and for the safety of every law enforcement officer.
The deposition was heated from its first moments, as U.S. Department of Justice attorney Sarmad Khojasteh complained about an attorney representing the coalition of protesters, journalists, and faith leaders not shaking Bovino’s hand. This tension continued with Khojasteh calling another attorney a petulant old man amidst ongoing objections, showcasing the strained dynamics at play.
The transcripts also document hours of Bovino providing evasive responses regarding agents’ use of force, characterizing protesters as violent rioters. He faced scrutiny over an incident during an Oct. 23 protest where he initially claimed to have thrown tear gas canisters in response to being hit by a rock - a claim he later retracted, admitting he had made mistakes in his account. After being shown video evidence of himself tackling a protestor, Bovino consistently denied any wrongdoing, despite acknowledging physical contact.
Other federal officials interviewed, including Russell Hott, an ICE official, and Daniel Parra, a deputy chief patrol agent at Customs and Border Protection, were also noted for evading direct questions regarding the use of force. Hott acknowledged a lack of training in crowd control and confirmed that tear gas usage ceased after state police took over the response to protests.
Judge Ellis criticized the agents' engagement in urban environments, emphasizing that this isn’t the border, and questioning the validity of their tactics. Parra also conceded that Ellis’ restrictions on the use of force had not adversely affected Border Patrol operations. The implications of these revelations underscore mounting tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and community relations.
Greg Bovino, the Border Patrol leader behind the operation that has netted more than 3,000 arrests since September, sat for the sworn deposition over three days in late October and early November. He left Chicago this month to lead a similar operation in North Carolina and is expected to oversee another in New Orleans starting as soon as next week.
Hundreds of pages of transcripts from the deposition shed light on key moments noted by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in a blistering 223-page opinion earlier this month in a lawsuit alleging federal agents used excessive force against protesters, journalists, and clergy members.
Ellis issued a preliminary injunction restricting agents from using physical force and chemical agents like tear gas and pepper balls unless necessary or to prevent an immediate threat. A federal appeals court later temporarily halted the order, with Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, calling the ruling a win for the rule of law and for the safety of every law enforcement officer.
The deposition was heated from its first moments, as U.S. Department of Justice attorney Sarmad Khojasteh complained about an attorney representing the coalition of protesters, journalists, and faith leaders not shaking Bovino’s hand. This tension continued with Khojasteh calling another attorney a petulant old man amidst ongoing objections, showcasing the strained dynamics at play.
The transcripts also document hours of Bovino providing evasive responses regarding agents’ use of force, characterizing protesters as violent rioters. He faced scrutiny over an incident during an Oct. 23 protest where he initially claimed to have thrown tear gas canisters in response to being hit by a rock - a claim he later retracted, admitting he had made mistakes in his account. After being shown video evidence of himself tackling a protestor, Bovino consistently denied any wrongdoing, despite acknowledging physical contact.
Other federal officials interviewed, including Russell Hott, an ICE official, and Daniel Parra, a deputy chief patrol agent at Customs and Border Protection, were also noted for evading direct questions regarding the use of force. Hott acknowledged a lack of training in crowd control and confirmed that tear gas usage ceased after state police took over the response to protests.
Judge Ellis criticized the agents' engagement in urban environments, emphasizing that this isn’t the border, and questioning the validity of their tactics. Parra also conceded that Ellis’ restrictions on the use of force had not adversely affected Border Patrol operations. The implications of these revelations underscore mounting tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and community relations.
