But the logistics of enforcing her order are yet to be worked out, since Chicago was not included in earlier ICE body cam programs, and the government shutdown might complicate acquiring and issuing new equipment. Despite the shutdown, ICE has continued its efforts to arrest and deport immigrants in what it claims is an effort to “preserve national security and public safety.”
Jon Seidel, federal courts reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, quoted Ellis as saying, “I would not require people to turn on a body camera that they don’t have,” following objections raised by Department of Justice lawyer Sean Skedzielewski.
The decision is an expansion of a temporary restraining order issued by Ellis last week, limiting the use of certain dispersal tactics, including the use of riot control weapons like pepper spray and tear gas. These tactics were reportedly being routinely used against protesters and journalists in a troubling pattern of a crackdown on free speech and the press. Ellis said she was “profoundly concerned” that her order was not being followed and ordered the director of ICE’s Chicago field office to appear in court on Monday to explain himself.
Ellis seemed to have little patience for Skedzielewski and the government following reports that ICE agents tear-gassed a crowd of protesters and police officers without warning and intentionally crashed into a car in a residential neighborhood. CNN reports that Ellis told Skedzielewski, “I’m not happy,” with “evident exasperation in her voice.”
According to CNN, when Skedzielewski complained about the “tremendous amount of resources” required to review hours of video every time an incident occurred, Ellis shot back, “There’s, you know, a simple way to not have to do that though, right?”
Ellis’s orders have been an attempt to bring some amount of accountability to ICE agents who have largely operated with impunity during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Agents have been repeatedly documented using aggressive tactics, arresting elected officials, and have been spotted wearing face masks and no identifying badges while detaining people on the streets.
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