Border Patrol Chicago news: Apparent immigration arrests caught on camera as Border Patrol Chief Bovino returns

CHICAGO (WLS) — Customs and Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino has returned to Chicago, and immigration enforcement operations were spotted taking place once again around the city on Tuesday.

Agents spent most of their morning in Little Village, where the sound of whistles blasted to alert everyone within earshot.

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Videos show apparent tear gas being deployed during the immigration crackdown that community groups say netted at least 15 people across the area.

“We have determined that there were over 15 arrests on the Southwest Side, including a tamale vendor and a day laborer,” Any Huamani with the Southwest Side Rapid Response Team and the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council.

Those detained include one person who was seen being pinned to the ground and then led away.

“They arrested a young man on 26th and Kedvale. He was on his bike… They just jumped on him, four agents. They were very rough with him, and we then exited the vehicle and told them, this is an illegal arrest,” said Baltazar Enríquez with the Little Village Community Council. “We then encountered them on Ridgeway and 26th, and our neighbors — they were shooting rubber bullets at people, innocent people. They were just telling them, they’re not welcome here.”

Little Village Community Council President Baltazar Enriquez shared video of immigration activity on Tuesday.

Surveillance video also captured a tamale vendor being taken into custody seconds after arriving at 47th and Hermitage on Tuesday morning. His cart was left abandoned.

And the Department of Homeland Security said in a post on X that one of the people arrested on Tuesday threw a rock at a CBP vehicle. DHS says that man, from Mexico, is in the U.S. illegally and has a criminal history includes domestic battery, aggravated assault, burglary, and domestic violence.

“To those who assault federal agents: we will hunt you down, we will find you, and justice will be served,” the post reads, in part. “President Trump and Secretary Noem will always have the back of DHS law enforcement.”

Cellphone video shot by residents shows at least two of the arrests Border Patrol agents made on Tuesday, including one at 27th and Ridgeway in Little Village.

Then, around 12:30 p.m., Chopper 7 captured a man being arrested near Roosevelt and Cicero.

More video captured the scene on Tuesday afternoon at a Menards near 23rd and Cicero, where at least eight border patrol vehicles, including Bovino and his camera crew, pulled in, circled, and pulled out.

That scene repeated over and over at various locations around the city as a growing caravan of protesters and journalists followed them for at least three hours.

Community members and elected officials gathered in Little Village on Tuesday afternoon to speak out against the enforcement.

“These acts, today, are not random. As a matter of fact, I think the president knows what he’s doing. He wants to create havoc right before Christmas,” said 22nd Ward Ald. Michael Rodríguez.

Two of Tuesday’s detentions took place just outside the same building where the press conference, organized by community members, took place.

“One man who was frantically trying to open his door with his key. He was taken away from the gangway,” said Enlace Executive Director Marcela Rodríguez.

In each case the arrests appeared random, not targeted, according to those who witnessed them.

Bovino was also seen in a video at the picket line during a union strike at Mauser Packaging Solutions on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

That’s where workers have been demanding protections from potential immigration raids at the facility. Instead, union leaders, claim, Bovino and agents interrogated workers.

“Laughing, joking, seemingly making light of the situation while demanding to see people’s identifications,” said Nicolas Coronado with Teamsters Local 705.

Bovino was also seen inside a Thornton’s gas station in Forest Park, appeared to relish his return to Chicago.

And over in Cicero, Town President Larry Dominick confirmed reports of federal agents in the west suburb.

“We encourage all residents to remain calm, be vigilant, and understand your rights, regardless of your immigration status. No one should feel intimidated or pressured. You have the right to remain silent and the right to ask for proper identification and a signed judicial warrant before opening your door,” he said.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said on Tuesday that he received no advance notice of Bovino’s return to Chicago.

“They call it enforcement. We call it harassment. We don’t know how long they are going to stay. It appears like they are here for at least a couple of days, if not longer,” Pritzker said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement, “I am aware of the presence of Greg Bovino and masked federal agents conducting immigration enforcement activity in the Chicago area, including the Little Village community just days before the holidays, a time when families should be together, not living in fear.”

Despite ABC7’s questions, DHS has, so far, refused to tell us how many agents are in the Chicago area to accompany Bovino.

He left the city, along with most of his force, around mid-November, with operation “Midway Blitz” thought to be temporarily winding down.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement on Tuesday, “As we said a month ago, we aren’t leaving Chicago and operations are ongoing. Operation Midway Blitz is achieving what Chicago’s sanctuary politicians have refused to do for decades: decrease crime and remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who put the American people in danger.”

Congressman Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi issued a statement, saying, “My office is actively monitoring and responding to the renewed deployment of masked federal agents in Chicago-area neighborhoods. Conducting surprise raids during the holidays that chase people through our streets, separate families, and target non-criminal residents is not about public safety. It is about fear and intimidation. I will use every oversight and legislative tool available to confront these abuses, defend due process, and hold federal agencies and their leaders accountable.”

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