DHS: Agents acted ‘in full accordance with CBP policy’ during a clash in Little Village where tear gas was deployed

CHICAGO — New video appears to show Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino lobbing a can of tear gas into a crowd of protesters, but DHS says agents acted ‘in full accordance with CBP policy’ during a clash in Little Village on Thursday.

The law firm Loevy and Loevy released the video late Thursday afternoon as part of a new court filing. Attorneys contend it shows federal agents seemingly disobeying a judge’s order meant to reel in some of their aggressive tactics. The order says immigration officers are not allowed to use riot control weapons, much like tear gas, unless they are facing an imminent threat. 

The news comes after tear gas was deployed and at least one person was arrested following a clash that unfolded between federal agents and community members in Little Village on Thursday morning.

The clash unfolded around 10 a.m. in an area near West 27th Street and South Whipple Street.

Members of the community who spoke with WGN-TV said they were first alerted to the presence of federal agents after hearing a Department of Homeland Security helicopter overhead.

Several people on the scene were tear-gassed, and State Representative Edgar Gonzalez said at least two people were detained.

SkyCam 9 was overhead around 10:30 a.m., when a crowd of about 100 people could be seen, along with several federal agents nearby.

Chicago police said they were called to the scene after multiple 911 calls, including one from federal agents seeking assistance.

When they arrived, officers found a large crowd and began de-escalation efforts, but only responded to maintain public safety through crowd control and traffic control.

Gonzalez said tensions likely escalated near a discount mall in the area, eventually leading agents to deploy tear gas.

“They were detaining somebody. People were trying to push back, and ICE was scared, so they started throwing tear gas. I started coughing a bit and went to the park to recover, and then they started throwing tear gas closer to Sacramento. They detained two young people,” Gonzalez said.

State Senator Celina Villanueva said the agents also faced significant pushback from community members in the area.

“They were absolutely met with resistance, Little Village is Little Village, we’re always going to protect our own, we’re always going to fight,” Villanueva said.

While on the scene, WGN-TV crews observed at least one federal vehicle with a smashed rear window. The scene had cleared by 12:30 p.m.

It remains unclear if anyone was injured in the clash, and Chicago police said one person was arrested during the incident for allegedly battering a CPD officer. Charges are pending.

As federal agents continue operating in Little Village, local leaders spoke out at a press conference, voicing their outrage at the tactics being used, despite the existing court ruling. Chicago Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward) says his office near 26th and Pulaski will be assisting families with detained loved ones for the next couple of days. Assistance will also come from staff members of Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s office, Senator Dick Durbin’s office, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office, and possibly, the office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

“Rioters grew more hostile and violent”

In a statement shared with WGN News on Friday morning, an official from DHS said the incident began after border patrol agents who were conducting enforcement operations in the area were surrounded by a group described as about 75 to 100 “rioters” shortly after they became boxed in by a large box truck.

DHS said in the statement that after they became boxed in, the group allegedly began firing commercial artillery shell fireworks at agents.

Amid the fireworks, DHS said a transport van carrying immigrants was then attacked, but the van was eventually able to make it into a perimeter set up by agents.

DHS further claims that the group then began throwing items, including rocks, at the agents, adding that Chief Greg Bovino was struck in the head by one.

“A Border Patrol transport van carrying illegal aliens attempting to get to the safety of the perimeter was then attacked. Border Patrol agents were able to secure the van and get it into the perimeter. The mob of rioters grew more hostile and violent, advancing toward agents and began throwing rocks and other objects at agents, including one that struck Chief Greg Bovino in the head,” a DHS spokesperson said.

According to DHS, agents then repeated multiple warnings to the crowd to back up, informing them that chemical agents would be deployed if they failed to comply.

Agents then deployed riot control measures, at which time arrests were made.

“Riot control measures were deployed, including by Chief Bovino, and arrests were made. Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public,” a DHS spokesperson said.