Judge orders Chicago-area officers to wear body cameras after violent clashes

CHICAGO (AP) — Federal immigration agents in the Chicago area will have to wear body cameras, a judge ruled Thursday after seeing tear gas and other aggressive measures used against protesters.

U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said she was “a little surprised” after seeing television footage of clashes between officers and public during the immigration crackdown led by President Donald Trump’s administration.

“I live in Chicago if people haven’t noticed,” she said. “And I’m not blind, am I?”

Community efforts to oppose U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have intensified in the nation’s third-largest city, where neighborhood groups have gathered to monitor ICE activities and film incidents involving agents. More than 1,000 immigrants arrested since September.

Separately, the Trump administration attempted to deploy National Guard troops, but the strategy was stopped last week by another judge.

Ellis said last week that officers in the area must wear badges and she barred them from using certain riot control techniques against peaceful protesters and journalists.

“I have concerns about compliance with my order,” the judge said.

“I would add that all officers who participate in Operation Midway Blitz must wear body-worn cameras, and they must wear them,” Ellis said, referring to the government’s name for the crackdown.

U.S. Justice Department prosecutor Sean Skedzielewski blamed “one-sided and selectively edited media reporting.” He also said it would not be possible to distribute cameras immediately.

“I understand that. I wouldn’t expect officers to wear body cameras that they don’t have,” Ellis said, adding that details could be worked out later.

She said the field director of enforcement efforts is scheduled to appear in court Monday.

In 2024, Immigration and Customs Enforcement began deploying approximately 1,600 body cameras to officers assigned to enforcement and deportation operations.

At the time, officials said they would be provided to agents in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, Buffalo, New York and Detroit. Other Department of Homeland Security agencies require certain agents to wear cameras. U.S. Customs and Border Protection released body camera video when force was used by their officers or agents.