Chicago immigration operations: Judge to hear challenge to fed agents' use of force against protesters, journalists
A federal judge will hear a lawsuit challenging ICE's use of force against protesters and journalists Wednesday.
ABC7 and other media workers are part of the case, claiming federal agents violated first amendment rights.
Demonstrators are expected to gather outside the federal courthouse, ahead of this morning's hearing to rally against federal immigration agents.
This all comes as a federal judge will decide later whether to impose harsher restrictions on federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz.
There is now a request to ban agents from using chemical agents collectively.
Currently, according to a previous federal court order, federal agents are supposed to give at least two verbal warnings before using tear gas.
Agents are also ordered to wear body cameras to capture interactions with the public.
Attorneys have cited violent clashes between agents and demonstrators, including a confrontation last week in Evanston, as a violation of the judge's orders.
Government lawyers argue agents have a right to protect themselves.
Body camera video showing agents' actions will be reviewed in court, along with some of Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino's sworn testimony, after he was seen lobbing tear gas into a Little Village crowd.
DHS argues Bovino was hit with a rock.
Wednesday's hearing is expected to last most of the day.
So far, officials say more than 3,200 people have been arrested as part of Operation Midway Blitz.
