Bovino Confronts Evanston Mayor After Chicago Caravan Protest

Key Takeaways:

• Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino led a large caravan of federal agents through Chicago and its suburbs, detaining residents and disrupting commutes.
• The caravan made stops in various locations, including Midway Airport, Evanston, and a Home Depot, where agents smashed a car window to detain a person.
• At least four people were arrested in Evanston, and dozens of rapid responders and neighbors gathered to protest the action.
• Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss confronted Bovino and expressed his opposition to the immigration raids, stating that Evanston is safe despite ICE/CBP, not because of it.
• The Chicago Police Department said it did not aid the Border Patrol’s operations, citing the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance, which bars the department from assisting federal immigration enforcement.

Introduction to the Incident
The city of Chicago witnessed a significant presence of federal agents on Wednesday, as Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino led a large caravan of agents through the city and its suburbs. The caravan, which included multiple vehicles, made its way through various locations, including Midway Airport, Evanston, and a Home Depot, where agents smashed a car window to detain a person. The incident marked Bovino’s second day back in Chicago, and it was met with resistance from local residents, protesters, and elected officials.

The Caravan’s Route and Arrests
The caravan entered the city before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, stopping at retailers along South Cicero Avenue on the Southwest Side. Agents made multiple arrests near Midway Airport before the caravan drove onto Interstate 55. The federal agent caravan then made its way up north on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, where a rapid responder who had been following the vehicles was pulled over and ticketed. The caravan continued its journey, making stops in Evanston, where at least four people were arrested, and a Home Depot, where dozens of rapid responders and neighbors gathered to protest the action.

Confrontation with Evanston Mayor
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss confronted Bovino and expressed his opposition to the immigration raids. Biss stated that Evanston is safe despite ICE/CBP, not because of it, and told Bovino not to return to the city. The confrontation was a significant moment in the incident, as it highlighted the tension between local officials and federal agents. The Chicago Police Department, which is barred from assisting federal immigration enforcement under Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, said that its officers did not aid the Border Patrol’s operations and that an internal review to ensure compliance with the policy was ongoing.

Response from Local Authorities
The Chicago Police Department responded to an "assist the police call" placed by an agent who claimed that another driver had attempted to ram a Border Patrol vehicle. However, the agent did not want to pursue charges against the driver, and the police department allowed the driver to leave after questioning. The Evanston Police Department also responded to the incident, cordoning off the area near the gas station where the arrests were made. The department’s commander, Ryan Glew, stated that the police were responding with pre-communicated protocols and were in the middle of the situation.

Community Reaction and Support
The incident sparked a strong reaction from the community, with dozens of rapid responders and neighbors gathering to protest the action. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support a tamale vendor detained by ICE agents on Tuesday, and a petition was started to demand the release of a 22-year-old man detained by ICE agents in October. The Resurrection Project is collecting signatures for the petition, and the Southwest Side Rapid Response team is organizing support for the detained individuals.

Conclusion and Ongoing Situation
The incident marked a significant escalation in the presence of federal agents in Chicago and its suburbs. The city’s Welcoming City Ordinance, which bars the police department from assisting federal immigration enforcement, was cited by the Chicago Police Department as the reason for not aiding the Border Patrol’s operations. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between local officials and federal agents, as well as the strong reaction from the community. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that there will be further developments and responses from local authorities and the community.