Chicago Deportation Operation Poised for Surge, Trial to Decide Fate of New Rules
A US District Judge, Sara Ellis, has set a trial date for March 2, amid concerns that thousands of agents from the US Border Patrol may return to Chicago as part of a surge in enforcement efforts. The agents' deployment was initially intended to last several months but are now expected to increase fourfold by March.
The decision comes after Judge Ellis issued a sweeping preliminary injunction last week, which restricted the use of force against protesters and journalists. The order prohibits agents from using "riot control weapons" without two warnings and restricts chokeholds. It also requires agents to display identifying numbers in "two separate places."
However, Homeland Security officials have claimed that their "Operation Midway Blitz" will continue unabated, with around 100 agents remaining. Lawyers for the plaintiffs, including media organizations such as the Chicago Headline Club and Block Club Chicago, have expressed concerns about the impending surge.
The trial is expected to last several days and will determine whether Judge Ellis's preliminary injunction will be made permanent. The judge has stated that she intends to unseal evidence used in support of her order, which could become public as early as November 24.
In a twist, the Trump administration has asked the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals to intervene, arguing that the initial ruling is "overbroad and unworkable" and threatens the safety of federal officers. Lawyers for the plaintiffs have responded, stating that the order does not infringe on federal officer safety and that the administration's actions constitute a war on Chicago.
The case has garnered attention over allegations of agent misconduct, including the use of flashbangs and tear gas in Little Village, where an agent claims to have been shot at. However, plaintiffs' lawyers argue that they have yet to receive documentary or video evidence from the Justice Department despite repeated requests.
A US District Judge, Sara Ellis, has set a trial date for March 2, amid concerns that thousands of agents from the US Border Patrol may return to Chicago as part of a surge in enforcement efforts. The agents' deployment was initially intended to last several months but are now expected to increase fourfold by March.
The decision comes after Judge Ellis issued a sweeping preliminary injunction last week, which restricted the use of force against protesters and journalists. The order prohibits agents from using "riot control weapons" without two warnings and restricts chokeholds. It also requires agents to display identifying numbers in "two separate places."
However, Homeland Security officials have claimed that their "Operation Midway Blitz" will continue unabated, with around 100 agents remaining. Lawyers for the plaintiffs, including media organizations such as the Chicago Headline Club and Block Club Chicago, have expressed concerns about the impending surge.
The trial is expected to last several days and will determine whether Judge Ellis's preliminary injunction will be made permanent. The judge has stated that she intends to unseal evidence used in support of her order, which could become public as early as November 24.
In a twist, the Trump administration has asked the 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals to intervene, arguing that the initial ruling is "overbroad and unworkable" and threatens the safety of federal officers. Lawyers for the plaintiffs have responded, stating that the order does not infringe on federal officer safety and that the administration's actions constitute a war on Chicago.
The case has garnered attention over allegations of agent misconduct, including the use of flashbangs and tear gas in Little Village, where an agent claims to have been shot at. However, plaintiffs' lawyers argue that they have yet to receive documentary or video evidence from the Justice Department despite repeated requests.
i feel bad for the protesters and journalists who just wanna report on the news without being scared 
the new rules are supposed to protect everyone, not just the cops 
but at the same time i get why the judge wants to make sure those riot control weapons aren't used too much - it's a delicate balance 
i hope that trial in march will bring some clarity and maybe even lead to some positive changes 
meanwhile the admin is trying to get involved and stuff 
seems like a bunch of people are just going around in circles here... judge's order was supposed to help reduce tensions, but now it sounds like everyone's just trying to outmaneuver each other... 
homeland security is still gonna do whatever they want, and the court's just trying to rein them in, but what if that's not enough? 
... Like, on one hand, I get it, the agents need to follow rules and stuff, but at the same time, I don't think they should be using riot control weapons without warning, that's just super scary 
. And I feel bad for the journalists and protesters who are just trying to do their job, but also, I think the judge is being kinda harsh with her injunction 
Like, can't we just find a happy medium here? 
. fingers crossed that judge ellis gets to unseal some evidence and makes sure these new rules dont harm anyone 
.
It's not like they're just going to let anyone come into the country willy-nilly... I mean, come on! 
. And honestly, I think Judge Ellis might be a bit too harsh with her orders... I mean, do we really need all these warnings and whatnot? 
I'm totally freaked out about this deportation operation in Chicago! The thought of thousands of agents returning is just insane - it's like, what's going on here? 
The fact that Judge Ellis has set a trial date for March 2nd and may unseal evidence soon is really exciting, but also super nerve-wracking. What if the new rules aren't enough to protect protesters and journalists? 
THE FACT THAT HOMELAND SECURITY IS TRYING TO GET AROUND THE COURT'S ORDERS BY SENDING IN MORE AGENTS WITH RIOOT CONTROL WEAPONS IS JUST CRAZY. I HOPE THE JUDGE GETS TO UNSEAL ALL THOSE EVIDENCES AND SHOW US WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON IN THIS CITY!!! 
It feels like a power play. The plaintiffs are right though - this order isn't about federal officer safety, it's about making sure protesters and journalists aren't mistreated. We need to keep an eye on this trial in March - if we let the administration get away with this, what's next? 
agents are supposed to protect us, but now it's all about enforcement and who's got the upper hand. 
It feels like this whole thing is just gonna get even more heated before we figure out what's really goin' on 
i mean, agents were initially supposed to leave after a few months but now they're getting ready to increase 4 times that number? 
Like, where's the money going?! 
Did you know that the US has the highest number of immigrants compared to other developed countries? We're like 16% of the global population and we account for over 15% of GDP growth! 
. theres probs going 2 be a lot of drama at trial tho, esp w/ trump's team thinkin they can just swoop in & change things 
️. I mean, who gets to decide what's "overbroad" and what's not? 
. And the fact that they're trying to undermine Judge Ellis's ruling is just ridiculous