Federal Appeals Court Blocks Daily Update Order for Border Patrol Commander

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a judge’s requirement for Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino to give daily updates on immigration enforcement in Chicago.

Last Tuesday, District Judge Sarah Ellis, who was appointed by former President Obama, mandated Bovino to appear in court every weekday at 5:45 p.m. to discuss “Operation Midway Blitz.”

This directive was part of a larger order that required U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to submit all use-of-force reports and body camera footage from September, amid rising concerns over federal law enforcement’s handling of anti-immigrant demonstrations.

The judge expressed worry that an earlier temporary restraining order, which restricted federal immigration agents from using tear gas or pepper spray against protesters, clergy, and journalists, wasn’t being adhered to.

In response, the Justice Department quickly appealed Ellis’ decision to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, just hours before Bovino’s first scheduled court appearance.

The Justice Department contended that requiring Bovino to appear in court daily would create “significant” disruption to immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago.

They argued that this order would interfere with the agency’s main role in enforcing immigration laws and would routinely place high-ranking officials on standby for what should be routine operations.

Furthermore, the filing criticized Ellis’ order as an overreach, suggesting that district courts should not micromanage the day-to-day operations of law enforcement agencies.

Bovino, along with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski, is reportedly advocating for a more aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, focusing efforts on deporting individuals who are illegally in the U.S.

Last month, Bovino noted that the heightened federal enforcement in Chicago targets the “worst of the worst” undocumented immigrants who have criminal histories.

According to internal statistics from DHS, CBP officers have made around 1,500 arrests in the Chicago area since September 16. Simultaneously, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have arrested roughly 1,400 individuals.