U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Justice Department appeared in court Thursday after a judge became "profoundly concerned" that her court order was being violated.
At issue is the demand made of ICE by U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis that federal agents not use any kind of riot control chemicals on crowds.
One incident in Albany Park showed two men in bulletproof vests with their faces covered nabbing a man. When neighbors began filming, they let the man go and walked away from the cameras, reported Block Club Chicago. The woman with the camera began shouting that people should remain in their homes and not answer the door. People began gathering outside to film the agents. That's when they deployed a chemical agents specifically barred by Judge Ellis.
Another incident unfolded on the Far South Side on Tuesday when federal agents also used the chemical gas as people gathered in response to a chase resulting in agents crashing into another vehicle, WLS reported.
"I live in Chicago, if folks haven't noticed. And I'm not blind. … I tend to get news," Judge Ellis said of the events that have unfolded since she issued her order.
As a result, she said she has "serious concerns" about whether her court order is being followed.
Chicago Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel live-posted the hearing in which the judge demanded Homeland Security staff appear in her courtroom on Monday morning.
"On Monday, I want the field director here. And the field director is going to explain to me why I am seeing images of tear gas being deployed and reading reports that there were no warnings given before it was deployed," said Judge Ellis.
She also issued the immediate directive that "all agents who are operating in Operation Midway Blitz are to wear body-worn cameras, and they are to be on," Seidel captured on Bluesky.
"I'm not happy. I'm really not happy," she said.
Justice Department lawyer Sean Skedzielewski claimed that he's heard complaints but attacked the media, saying that it's fake news.
"The reporting is just inaccurate," he said, claiming "selectively edited media reports."
Judge Ellis also brought up the car chase that unfolded on Tuesday.
"We're not on the border. We are in an urban, densely populated area," she said. "I am profoundly concerned about what has been happening over the last week, since I entered this order."
"It could certainly be that these journalists got it wrong, which is why I want to hear from the field director on Monday. But there's enough there that definitely gives me pause and concern," she added.
The conflicting reports about whether a warning was issued is a reason she wants body cameras on at all times.
She made it clear that they weren't calling top U.S. officials to testify; instead, she wanted to hear specifically from Field Director Russell Hott, and that she would consider calling Chief Gregory Bovino.
Skedzielewski went on to blame the shutdown, saying that it's unclear whether body cams could be acquired and deployed for all of the federal agents in the area.
ICE staff are required to continue working through the government shutdown, and Skedzielewski said that it might be easier for CBP to accomplish.