Protesters expected at Illinois ICE processing center
Share and Follow


() A federal judge in Chicago has temporarily barred the Department of Homeland Security from using crowd control weapons like tear gas and pepper balls on local journalists who are covering the Trump administration’s confrontations with demonstrators.

A suit filed earlier this week by news outlets and media associations, among others, said federal agents used “indiscriminate” force and interfered with freedoms of the press. Critics have accused the feds of using a heavy hand while trying to control crowds at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Broadview.

Several journalists say they’ve been hit with rubber bullets or other projectiles and tear-gassed, according to the suit.

The order Thursday from U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis prohibits DHS personnel, including ICE officers and Border Patrol agents, from “dispersing, arresting, threatening to arrest, threatening or using physical force against any person whom they know or reasonably should know is a journalist.”

The judge’s 14-day temporary restraining order lays out conditions under which federal authorities can make exceptions, such as when they have probable cause to believe a journalist has committed a crime.

Federal agents should recognize journalists by visual identification cues, such as press credentials, patches and videography equipment, said the judge, who also suggested that people “standing off to the side of a protest, not engaging in chanting, sign holding, shouting slogans” may be members of the media.

The temporary order, which covers the Northern District of Illinois, also requires federal agents to wear “visible identification” unless they are plainclothes or undercover agents.

DHS officials say their agents have been endangered by violent protesters in Chicago but “take every reasonable precaution” to protect First Amendment rights.

“The First Amendment protects speech and peaceful assembly not rioting,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Washington Post.

Clashes between protesters and federal authorities have occurred since the Trump administration last month sent a surge of resources to Chicago, a sanctuary city, to enforce immigration laws.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Trump, Clinton seen in new batch of Epstein photos released by Democrats

Newly Released Epstein Photos Feature Trump and Clinton: Key Insights from Democratic Disclosure

California Representative Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the Oversight panel, informed…
$600K missing: Theodore High bookkeeper dismissed

School Scandal: Theodore High Bookkeeper Fired Over $600K Disappearance

UPDATE (7 p.m.): A school employee from Theodore High School has been…
Joanna Trollope dies aged 82: Bestselling author passes away at home

Bestselling Author Joanna Trollope Passes Away at 82, Peacefully at Home

Acclaimed author Joanna Trollope has passed away at the age of 82,…
Man pleads not guilty to death of Jacksonville baby ran over by car

Tragic Jacksonville Case: Father Receives Sentence for Fatal Incident Involving Son

According to police reports, Justin Golden, aged 21, engaged in a heated…
Trump sued over East Wing demolition in new ballroom battle

Legal Showdown: Trump Faces Lawsuit Over East Wing Demolition for Ballroom Plan

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has taken legal action against President…
Largest study of its kind reveals surprising outcome of Covid vaccine

Groundbreaking Study Unveils Unexpected Results of COVID Vaccine

Receiving at least one dose of the Covid vaccine could potentially extend…
Woman with 100 prior arrests faces judge after crash that killed Grammy-nominated musician

Woman with Extensive Arrest Record Appears in Court After Fatal Crash Involving Grammy-Nominated Artist

Nearly a week after an incident involving the tragic death of Roderick…
NATO secretary general warns Russia could target alliance members next amid rising tensions

NATO Chief Warns: Russia’s Next Move Could Threaten Alliance Members Amid Escalating Tensions

In a stark warning to the transatlantic alliance, NATO Secretary General Mark…