US appeals court blocks restrictions on federal agents' use of force in Chicago

A federal appeals court has sided with the Trump administration and temporarily halted a judge’s order that restricted how immigration agents could use tear gas and other crowd-control weapons during protests in Chicago.

The 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals issued a brief opinion on Wednesday granting the government’s emergency request to pause the lower court’s directive. The earlier order, issued by US District Judge Sara Ellis on 6 November, required Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to provide warnings before deploying tear gas, barred them from arresting or dispersing journalists and mandated that agents wear body cameras and clear identification.

The appeals court concluded the judge’s ruling overstepped judicial authority. The panel wrote that the directive’s "practical effect is to enjoin all law enforcement officers within the Executive Branch," a level of control they said amounted to impermissible micromanagement of federal policing.

Judge Ellis’ earlier ruling followed hours of testimony from plaintiffs who described violence at protests outside an immigration detention facility in Broadview, Illinois, and in residential areas of Chicago. According to news agency Reuters, the court that agents pointed guns at their heads after they filmed federal activity. A pastor testified that he was shot in the face with a pepper ball while praying.

Federal agents also took the stand, insisting they faced uncontrolled violence from protesters. But Ellis rejected much of their narrative, saying the government’s account was not credible and pointing to several instances where she said agents had lied about protesters’ behaviour.

Ellis’ order was intended to remain in force throughout the lawsuit. She ruled that the plaintiffs had shown credible evidence that federal agents targeted them in violation of their constitutional rights to free speech, free assembly and religious freedom.

The appeals panel stressed on Wednesday that its decision to pause the ruling did not mean the plaintiffs had failed to prove constitutional violations. Instead, the judges said a "more tailored" order would be more appropriate.

CHICAGO AT CENTRE OF TRUMP’S IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT

Chicago has become a focal point of President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand immigration enforcement. Under "Operation Midway Blitz," launched in early September, federal agents used tear gas in residential areas and forcibly subdued protesters while pursuing individuals suspected of living in the country illegally.

Trump deployed Guard troops to the city in September, but a federal court blocked their deployment on 16 October. The US Supreme Court is now reviewing that decision. Defence officials told Reuters that the Pentagon has begun withdrawing some Guard troops from Chicago and Portland after weeks of intensified operations ordered by the president.

Ellis’ ruling followed a similar temporary restraining order she issued last month, which had sought to limit federal force during protests.

The appeals court’s decision pauses the judge’s latest order while the panel -- which includes two Trump-appointed judges -- prepares to review her reasoning on an expedited schedule.

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With inputs from agencies