Border agents defy new sweep policy in Chicago
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CBP commander Gregory Bovino in Little Village Tuesday. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
Last week, News Nation reported that U.S Border Patrol agents led by Gregory Bovino would halt random immigration sweeps on sidewalks and businesses like Home Depot, and switch to targeted enforcement against "individuals who have committed heinous crimes."
- The news outlet cited Department of Homeland Security sources.
Reality check: CBP agents appear to have done the opposite multiple times this week in Chicago, where DHS officials tell Axios they arrested 35 people on Tuesday alone.
- Some of the operations happened on the street, in various Home Depot parking lots and even on a Teamsters picket line, according to local photos, reporting and statements from local rapid response members.
- One person arrested was bicycling and another was selling tamales, according to local community advocates.
- Bovino says they arrested 16 people at an O'Hare ride-share lot on Wednesday.
What they're saying: "After two days of escalation, this week's operation has been more of the same from Bovino and his minions," Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights spokesperson Brandon Lee tells Axios.
- "They continue to stop people on the street, at gas stations and in parking lots. This points to continued racial profiling, more separated families, and more abductions of our neighbors. As we've seen the last couple of days and throughout the year, Illinois residents will continue to look out for one another and keep each other."
The other side: DHS officials did not respond to repeated Axios requests for comment on the reported policy shift.
Between the lines: Only 26% of people currently detained as part of ICE/CBP operations have been convicted of any crime.
- In the wake of these operations, President Trump's approval rating on immigration has dropped nine points since February to 37%.
What we're watching: Whether or not Bovino plans to continue his operations here through Christmas. DHS officials did not answer Axios' questions about it.