Federal judge orders ICE officers in Chicago to wear body cameras

A federal judge on Thursday ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Chicago to wear body cameras, following the agency's use of tear gas against protesters.

U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Illinois Sara Ellis, an Obama appointee, said she was a “little startled” after seeing clashes between agents and the public on TV, The Associated Press reported.

“I live in Chicago if folks haven’t noticed,” Ellis said. “And I’m not blind, right?”

Neighborhood groups in Chicago have gathered to monitor ICE activity and film incidents involving agents. Since September, more than 1,000 immigrants have been arrested.

Last week, Ellis said agents in the Chicago area must wear badges and banned them from using some riot control techniques against protesters and journalists.

“I’m having concerns about my order being followed,” she said.

“I am adding that all agents who are operating in Operation Midway Blitz are to wear body-worn cameras, and they are to be on,” Ellis said, referring to the Trump administration's name for the illegal immigration crackdown.

Justice Department attorney Sean Skedzielewski said that they were “one-sided and selectively edited media reports.” He added that it would be impossible to immediately distribute body cameras.

“I understand that. I would not be expecting agents to wear body-worn cameras they do not have,” Ellis said, adding that the details could be figured out later.

The judge also said that the field director of the immigration enforcement effort must appear in court on Monday.