Federal Agents Deploy Chemical Munitions in Multiple Cities

Federal immigration agents, primarily Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection, have deployed tear gas, pepper spray and other chemical munitions during enforcement actions and arrests across multiple U.S. cities, prompting protests and local backlash. In Chicago, agents operated in several neighborhoods — Old Irving Park, Little Village, Logan Square, Brighton Park, East Side and Lakeview — actions that led to the cancellation of a local Halloween parade and videos showing residents, parents and children fleeing plumes of smoke. In Old Irving Park officers were recorded chasing and tackling construction worker Luis Villegas on North Kildare, detaining three people amid accusations of using unmarked vehicles and vehicles without license plates; a fundraiser has raised more than $4,000 for Villegas’ legal defense. The operations have drawn federal court scrutiny: U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has curtailed use of chemical munitions and ordered Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino to appear in court. Similar confrontations were reported at Oakland’s Coast Guard Island and near a Portland ICE facility, and while local officials and community leaders condemned the deployments, federal authorities say suspects were accused and arrested but not convicted.