Overview
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said enforcement would not pause and would increase over Halloween, calling a halt request from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker “shameful.”
- Pritzker’s letter sought a suspension of operations from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 near homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship and other holiday gatherings.
- Residents reported that agents deployed tear gas in Chicago’s Old Irving Park as families gathered for a Halloween parade, and a 76-year-old U.S. citizen was injured during an arrest; DHS said agents were surrounded, issued warnings and used crowd-control measures to clear the area.
- U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis admonished Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, warned against using chemical agents without warnings in non-imminent threats and, according to court oversight described in coverage, required body-worn cameras and daily reporting.
- DHS has promoted the campaign as netting more than 3,000 arrests, while local officials condemn tactics and brace for increased Halloween activity under continuing court scrutiny.