ICE Agents In Chicago Area Who Aren't Undercover Must Wear Badges Or IDs, Federal Judge Rules

A federal judge has ordered immigration agents in the Chicago area to wear visible identification while on duty to protect constitutional rights during enforcement actions. U. S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued this ruling as part of a temporary injunction, effective immediately for at least 14 days. The measure follows a lawsuit filed by Block Club Chicago and other organizations, which seeks to prevent excessive force against peaceful protesters and journalists.

Ellis's ruling also bans federal agents from using riot-control weapons against non-threatening individuals and prohibits the arrest of journalists not posing an immediate danger. The injunction applies to agents from the Department of Homeland Security and other related agencies operating within the Northern District of Illinois. Advocates argue that this ruling enhances accountability amid fears of intimidation tactics used during immigration enforcement. Immigrant families have expressed heightened anxiety due to agents concealing their identities. The ruling reflects ongoing tensions around immigration policy and enforcement practices in the region.