Federal Judge Orders ICE Agents in Chicago to Wear Body Cameras/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal judge has ordered ICE agents in the Chicago area to wear body cameras, citing abuse concerns during immigration enforcement. The ruling follows disturbing footage of aggressive tactics against protesters. The Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown continues facing legal resistance.
ICE Body Camera Mandate: Quick Looks
- Judge Sara Ellis ordered ICE agents in Chicago to wear body cameras during operations.
- The order comes after reports of excessive force, including tear gas used against protesters.
- Ellis also reaffirmed bans on riot tactics and emphasized visible agent ID badges.
- A federal plan to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago was blocked earlier this week.
- ICE began limited body cam deployment in 2024 in cities like Baltimore and Detroit.
- DHS claims body cams enhance transparency and public trust during enforcement.
- Community activists in Chicago have been filming ICE activity amid concerns.
- The ruling signals growing judicial oversight of federal immigration practices.
Federal Judge Orders ICE Agents in Chicago to Wear Body Cameras
Deep Look
CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in the Chicago area to begin wearing body cameras, citing growing concerns over their use of force and lack of accountability during immigration enforcement actions.
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued the ruling Thursday, referencing disturbing footage she had seen of tear gas and violent tactics used against protesters amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration crackdown.
“I live in Chicago, if folks haven’t noticed,” Ellis said in court. “And I’m not blind.”
The judge’s comments come as community resistance to ICE operations intensifies in the nation’s third-largest city, where local groups have started monitoring and recording federal enforcement actions in real time. Activists say this is a direct response to reports of excessive force, intimidation, and abuse by agents in recent months.
What the Ruling Requires
- ICE agents in the Chicago area must now wear visible body cameras during interactions with the public.
- The judge also reaffirmed a ban on agents using riot control techniques — such as tear gas and rubber bullets — on peaceful protesters and journalists.
- All agents must wear clearly visible identification badges while in the field.
A Pattern of Escalation
Judge Ellis said her concerns stem from ongoing reports and media footage showing aggressive actions that may violate her earlier orders. She emphasized that such forceful behavior cannot continue unchecked, especially in light of public outcry.
“I’m getting images and reading reports that make me seriously question whether my order is being followed,” she said.
A lawyer for the federal government, Sean Skedzielewski, pushed back on the criticism, claiming that the incidents being cited were “selectively edited” media clips.
National Guard Effort Blocked
The judge’s ruling comes just days after a separate federal court blocked the Trump administration’s effort to deploy National Guard troops in the greater Chicago area. The controversial plan had faced sharp opposition from city leaders and civil rights groups, who called it a militarization of immigration enforcement.
Body Cameras Already Used in Other Cities
ICE began expanding body camera use in 2024, starting with 1,600 devices assigned to agents in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Buffalo, Detroit, and New York. The goal, according to DHS at the time, was to “enhance transparency and public trust” during enforcement operations.
Other Department of Homeland Security agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, already require some officers to wear body cameras. CBP has occasionally released footage in use-of-force cases.
The new mandate for Chicago reflects a growing demand for federal officers to face the same scrutiny as local police, especially in communities where trust in immigration enforcement is already strained.
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