Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations

ABC7 is getting more information from the Department of Homeland Security about recent violent run-ins with federal agents over the past few days.

DHS says Wednesday was one of their most violent days on the job.

At 24th and Ogden, DHS claims, a Latin Kings gang member tried to ram agents with his vehicle.

Six people were arrested that day for impeding operations, and three undocumented immigrants were placed into custody.

And there were more tense moments Thursday at the Little Village Discount Mall during an anti-ICE rally.

Attorneys accused federal agents of violating a court order, which does not allow them to use riot control weapons unless facing an imminent threat and requires them to issue warnings first before deploying tear gas.

A federal complaint is now taking aim at the man who led the charge. An image of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino appears to show him throw tear gas "without justification," according to the complaint.

"Federal agents started acting aggressive, pushing protesters away... Again, it was all peaceful protesters," said protester Kristian Armendariz.

However, DHS says the group of about 75-100 people began firing commercial artillery shell fireworks at agents and throwing rocks, adding that Bovino was hit in the head.

According to DHS, agents repeated multiple warnings to the crowd to back up, informing them that chemical agents would be deployed. The department stood by their agents' actions, saying, "Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public."

Bovino was already set to appear in court on Nov. 5, but now, a federal judge has ordered more than double the time to question Bovino after these incidents. Click here for more.

Local officials said a Chicago Public Schools high schooler was detained Thursday on the Southwest Side as a surge in federal enforcement continues.

Some Chicago Public Schools Board members are now pushing for remote learning in response to federal operations in Chicago. The district says it cannot implement e-learning on its own and it would need Governor JB Pritzker to act.

Community organizers and witnesses said at least one teenager was detained by federal agents during a protest. Benito Juarez High School officials confirmed that individual is a student at their school, and he has since been released.

"I marked a junior student absent, not because that student was sick... it was because ICE had snatched him up on his way to school," Benito Juarez Community Academy teacher Liz Winfield said. "It's a sense of unease. It's a sense of anger and frustration. It's a lot of students calling in, or parents calling in saying, 'I don't feel safe.'"

CPS interim CEO Macquline King said Thursday night schools are the safest place for students to be.

ABC7 reached out to Governor Pritzker's office for comment, but have not heard back.

After Thursday's events at the Little Village Discount Mall, attorneys are now accusing federal agents of "simply ignoring" a temporary restraining order that put strict guidelines on the use of tear gas. A federal complaint is now taking aim at the man who led the charge.

Video obtained by ABC News of Thursday's protests on the Southwest Side showed what appeared to be Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino once again leading operations on the ground. At one point, Chief Bovino appears to be seen throwing a tear gas canister into the crowd, but that has not been confirmed.

Attorneys from Loevy and Loevy, who represent the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that resulted in a temporary restraining order restricting how federal agents use tear gas and other chemicals on protesters and journalists, have filed a notice of violation in federal court accusing Bovino of personally violating the order regarding Thursday's apparent use of tear gas.

"Certainly the government's going to make its arguments here," ABC7 Chief Legal Analyst Gil Soffer said. "Maybe they'll argue the agents had no choice but to throw the tear gas, he felt there was immediate threats, he gave the requisite warnings, it was the only measure he could use to protect his own safety, the safety of his officers."

ABC7 has reached out to DHS regarding accusations involving Bovino.

Bovino was already set to appear in court November 5, but now a federal judge wants to hear more about what unfolded at the discount mall and has ordered more than double the time for questioning Bovino while he's under oath.

Chopper 7 spotted tense moments between federal immigration agents and crowds of people in Little Village.

Chopper 7 was over 26th and Sacramento on Thursday at about 11 a.m.

It happened at about 10:30 a.m. on 26th and Sacramento near the Cook County jail.

Chicago police were seen helping with crowd control.

Video shows a crowd surrounding agents inside a SUV.

One person was seen opening the door of a moving car, another person throwing an object at the agents.

Officials did not release any information regarding the incident.