Chip Mitchell
@chipmitchell1.bsky.social
WBEZ Chicago reporter on public safety and health.
https://www.wbez.org/author/chip-mitchell
Mobile/Signal: 312-286-9986.
https://www.wbez.org/author/chip-mitchell
Mobile/Signal: 312-286-9986.
A #BorderPatrol agent’s camera captures a detainee’s lament: ‘We don’t have the opportunity that you have.’
More than 40 hours of bodycam footage offers a new lens into #Chicago clashes between #immigration agents and the public.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/public-safet...
More than 40 hours of bodycam footage offers a new lens into #Chicago clashes between #immigration agents and the public.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/public-safet...
Border Patrol agent’s camera captures detainee’s lament: ‘We don’t have the opportunity that you have’
Dozens of hours of body-camera footage offer a new lens into clashes between immigration agents and the public during "Operation Midway Blitz" on the Northwest Side.
www.wbez.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:20 PM
A #BorderPatrol agent’s camera captures a detainee’s lament: ‘We don’t have the opportunity that you have.’
More than 40 hours of bodycam footage offers a new lens into #Chicago clashes between #immigration agents and the public.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/public-safet...
More than 40 hours of bodycam footage offers a new lens into #Chicago clashes between #immigration agents and the public.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/public-safet...
Extraordinary footage 1/2: A construction worker, surrounded by #BorderPatrol agents in a #HomeDepot parking lot near #Chicago, stands on the roof of a van. Agents try to climb up. The worker jumps to the pavement and runs away.
www.facebook.com/reel/3162164...
www.facebook.com/reel/3162164...
119K views · 968 reactions | 🚨 ALERTA: PATRULLA FRONTERIZA EN CICERO ESTA MAÑANA — Están llegando reportes de que la Patrulla Fronteriza ya llegó y que esta mañana ya la vieron en Cicero en Home Depot...
🚨 ALERTA: PATRULLA FRONTERIZA EN CICERO ESTA MAÑANA — Están llegando reportes de que la Patrulla Fronteriza ya llegó y que esta mañana ya la vieron en Cicero en Home Depot. Les voy a estar avisando...
www.facebook.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Extraordinary footage 1/2: A construction worker, surrounded by #BorderPatrol agents in a #HomeDepot parking lot near #Chicago, stands on the roof of a van. Agents try to climb up. The worker jumps to the pavement and runs away.
www.facebook.com/reel/3162164...
www.facebook.com/reel/3162164...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
The protester faced prison — but the charges got dropped right after video emerged.
Cole Sheridan told his story to @chipmitchell1.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Cole Sheridan told his story to @chipmitchell1.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Protester says dismissed assault case shows Border Patrol chief is dishonest: ‘His word means nothing’
Cole Sheridan was charged with assaulting Gregory Bovino in Broadview, but prosecutors tossed the case after a video appeared to contradict Bovino’s account. Several similar cases have been dismissed ...
www.wbez.org
December 2, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The protester faced prison — but the charges got dropped right after video emerged.
Cole Sheridan told his story to @chipmitchell1.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Cole Sheridan told his story to @chipmitchell1.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Failed mayoral candidate Ja'mal Green is once again claiming on social media that @thetriibe.com's story on how Paul Vallas’s campaign paid him is untrue. I edited that story; @tonia.thetriibe.com reported it.
So once again: here are the receipts. bit.ly/JaymalPaid
So once again: here are the receipts. bit.ly/JaymalPaid
December 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Failed mayoral candidate Ja'mal Green is once again claiming on social media that @thetriibe.com's story on how Paul Vallas’s campaign paid him is untrue. I edited that story; @tonia.thetriibe.com reported it.
So once again: here are the receipts. bit.ly/JaymalPaid
So once again: here are the receipts. bit.ly/JaymalPaid
‘HIS WORD MEANS NOTHING’: Cole Sheridan, 27, was charged with assaulting U.S. #BorderPatrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino near a Chicago-area immigration enforcement facility, but federal prosecutors dropped the case after a video seemed to contradict Bovino’s account. @wbez.org www.wbez.org/immigration/...
November 28, 2025 at 9:56 PM
‘HIS WORD MEANS NOTHING’: Cole Sheridan, 27, was charged with assaulting U.S. #BorderPatrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino near a Chicago-area immigration enforcement facility, but federal prosecutors dropped the case after a video seemed to contradict Bovino’s account. @wbez.org www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino arrested a protester on charges of assaulting a federal officer at a Broadview immigration facility, but video evidence later contradicted his account and showed the protester being pushed to the ground instead.
‘His word means nothing’: Protester says dismissed assault case shows Border Patrol chief is dishonest
chicago.suntimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino arrested a protester on charges of assaulting a federal officer at a Broadview immigration facility, but video evidence later contradicted his account and showed the protester being pushed to the ground instead.
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Cole Sheridan was charged with assaulting Gregory Bovino in Broadview, but prosecutors tossed the case after a video appeared to contradict Bovino’s account. Several similar cases have been dismissed against Chicago-area protesters and immigrants.
Protester says dismissed assault case shows Border Patrol chief is dishonest: ‘His word means nothing’
www.wbez.org
November 28, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Cole Sheridan was charged with assaulting Gregory Bovino in Broadview, but prosecutors tossed the case after a video appeared to contradict Bovino’s account. Several similar cases have been dismissed against Chicago-area protesters and immigrants.
Incidents in Chicago deportation blitz:
8 with car chases
19 with collisions
12 with forced entries
36 with tackling
16 with strikes
4 with kneeling on back/neck
5 with chokeholds
9 with spraying
18 with pepper balls
14 with tear gas
5 with stun grenades
4 with tasering
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
8 with car chases
19 with collisions
12 with forced entries
36 with tackling
16 with strikes
4 with kneeling on back/neck
5 with chokeholds
9 with spraying
18 with pepper balls
14 with tear gas
5 with stun grenades
4 with tasering
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Tear gas, car crashes, chokeholds: Risky tactics have driven Trump’s Chicago deportation ‘blitz’
Law enforcement experts say federal agents have displayed a lack of training and restraint. “They’re out of control,” ex-police Supt. Garry McCarthy says.
www.wbez.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Incidents in Chicago deportation blitz:
8 with car chases
19 with collisions
12 with forced entries
36 with tackling
16 with strikes
4 with kneeling on back/neck
5 with chokeholds
9 with spraying
18 with pepper balls
14 with tear gas
5 with stun grenades
4 with tasering
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
8 with car chases
19 with collisions
12 with forced entries
36 with tackling
16 with strikes
4 with kneeling on back/neck
5 with chokeholds
9 with spraying
18 with pepper balls
14 with tear gas
5 with stun grenades
4 with tasering
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Tear gas, car crashes, chokeholds: Risky tactics drive Trump’s #Chicago deportation blitz. Law enforcement experts say federal agents show a lack of training and restraint. “They’re out of control,” ex-CPD Supt. Garry McCarthy sez. @chicago.suntimes.com @wbez.org chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Tear gas, car crashes, rubber bullets: Risky tactics have driven Trump’s Chicago deportation ‘blitz’
Law enforcement experts say federal agents have displayed a lack of training and restraint. “They’re out of control,” ex-police Supt. Garry McCarthy says.
chicago.suntimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Tear gas, car crashes, chokeholds: Risky tactics drive Trump’s #Chicago deportation blitz. Law enforcement experts say federal agents show a lack of training and restraint. “They’re out of control,” ex-CPD Supt. Garry McCarthy sez. @chicago.suntimes.com @wbez.org chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
The #Trump team carries out its #deportation blitz in Democratic-led #Illinois in the name of fighting crime. But Republican-led states have higher murder and violent crime rates—and faster-growing populations of unauthorized #immigrants.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Trump's claims about murder rates and illegal immigration fit red states more than blue states
As federal immigration agents carry out the president's “Operation Midway Blitz” in Democrat-led Illinois — a "blue state" — a WBEZ and Sun-Times analysis shows other Republican-led "red states" have ...
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The #Trump team carries out its #deportation blitz in Democratic-led #Illinois in the name of fighting crime. But Republican-led states have higher murder and violent crime rates—and faster-growing populations of unauthorized #immigrants.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
PARALLEL UNIVERSE: The #Trump administration hones #propaganda techniques to build public support for its #deportation blitz in #Chicago. Don't miss this deconstruction by Nader Issa of the @chicago.suntimes.com.
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Watch how government propaganda techniques portray Chicago as a city at war with the feds
The government’s social media storytelling doesn’t always match what’s happening across the city and suburbs. The diverging sources of information are creating “parallel universes," professor Nick Cul...
chicago.suntimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
PARALLEL UNIVERSE: The #Trump administration hones #propaganda techniques to build public support for its #deportation blitz in #Chicago. Don't miss this deconstruction by Nader Issa of the @chicago.suntimes.com.
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
#Chicago-area firms that earned lucrative contracts backing #Trump’s #deportation push have also benefited from deals with the city. City Council member @ward33chicago.bsky.social is calling for a review.
@schuba.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@schuba.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Trump taps big City Hall contractors for ICE operation Brandon Johnson opposes
“We do have to take this seriously and make sure that we are not collaborating by hiring or benefiting companies that are acting against us,” said Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33rd).
chicago.suntimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:29 AM
#Chicago-area firms that earned lucrative contracts backing #Trump’s #deportation push have also benefited from deals with the city. City Council member @ward33chicago.bsky.social is calling for a review.
@schuba.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@schuba.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
The 1920s “immigration reform” the VP cited tonight, in this reply to a south Asian woman, was devised by Anglo bigots to all but stop the historic wave of Eastern and Southern Europeans — Jews, Italians, Slavs, Greeks etc www.amazon.com/Guarded-Gate...
A brave young woman asks JD Vance: “When you talk about too many immigrants here, when did you guys decide that number? Why did you sell us a dream? You gave us the path and now tell us we don't belong here? Why do you have to be Christian to be American?”
Full: www.instagram.com/reel/DQapzQi...
Full: www.instagram.com/reel/DQapzQi...
October 30, 2025 at 4:39 AM
The 1920s “immigration reform” the VP cited tonight, in this reply to a south Asian woman, was devised by Anglo bigots to all but stop the historic wave of Eastern and Southern Europeans — Jews, Italians, Slavs, Greeks etc www.amazon.com/Guarded-Gate...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
In another filing tonight in the case before Judge Sara Ellis in Chicago, plaintiffs' attorneys say depositions are set to begin Wednesday (Greg Bovino is among those to be deposed).
But the feds are seeking an order that would make those depos "inaccessible to the public," they say.
But the feds are seeking an order that would make those depos "inaccessible to the public," they say.
October 26, 2025 at 11:20 PM
In another filing tonight in the case before Judge Sara Ellis in Chicago, plaintiffs' attorneys say depositions are set to begin Wednesday (Greg Bovino is among those to be deposed).
But the feds are seeking an order that would make those depos "inaccessible to the public," they say.
But the feds are seeking an order that would make those depos "inaccessible to the public," they say.
#Chicago religious leaders have been hit w teargas, spray and pepper balls outside an #ICE holding facility. They say ICE is denying pastoral care to #immigrants inside. And they're slamming "Christian" support for #Trump's deportation blitz.
@estheryjkang.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
@estheryjkang.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Clergy say religious rights are under attack inside and outside the Broadview ICE facility
Chicago area religious leaders have been hit with tear gas and pepper balls outside the building. They also say immigrants are being denied pastoral care inside the facility.
www.wbez.org
October 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
#Chicago religious leaders have been hit w teargas, spray and pepper balls outside an #ICE holding facility. They say ICE is denying pastoral care to #immigrants inside. And they're slamming "Christian" support for #Trump's deportation blitz.
@estheryjkang.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
@estheryjkang.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Video shows a school-based #police officer telling community volunteers they can't distribute #KnowYourRights flyers outside a mostly Latino high school near #Chicago. A sergeant is seen accusing the volunteers of “indoctrinating” students.
@chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
@chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Cicero, Berwyn students demand more school district support as immigration enforcement escalates
They are sitting out this week's homecoming events and protesting after they say their concerns have been dismissed. The leader of the heavily Latino Morton High School District says it is there to su...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Video shows a school-based #police officer telling community volunteers they can't distribute #KnowYourRights flyers outside a mostly Latino high school near #Chicago. A sergeant is seen accusing the volunteers of “indoctrinating” students.
@chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
@chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Masked immigration agents erode trust and intimidate, says former No. 2 DEA boss: Masking is "all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust. chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog... by Frank Main and @chipmitchell1.bsky.social
Masked immigration agents erode trust and intimidate, former No. 2 DEA boss, others say
A former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Administration official says masking is "all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Masked immigration agents erode trust and intimidate, says former No. 2 DEA boss: Masking is "all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust. chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog... by Frank Main and @chipmitchell1.bsky.social
President Donald Trump’s administration says federal agents in #deportation operations are wearing #masks to avoid #doxxing, but some #police chiefs and former top U.S. law enforcement officials are raising red flags, we report.
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Masked immigration agents erode trust and intimidate, former No. 2 DEA boss, others say
A former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Administration official says masking is "all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration says federal agents in #deportation operations are wearing #masks to avoid #doxxing, but some #police chiefs and former top U.S. law enforcement officials are raising red flags, we report.
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
A mother slams #Trump admin for making her daughter, slain by a drunk driver, the face of a Chicago #deportation blitz: "Katie wouldn't want to be associated with an operation in which kids witness their parents being taken into custody on their way to school." www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/21/o...
Denise Lorence: My daughter is the face of Operation Midway Blitz. I am reclaiming her legacy.
My daughter Katie would not want to be associated with an operation in which kids witness their parents being taken into custody.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM
A mother slams #Trump admin for making her daughter, slain by a drunk driver, the face of a Chicago #deportation blitz: "Katie wouldn't want to be associated with an operation in which kids witness their parents being taken into custody on their way to school." www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/21/o...
Propelling a #deportation blitz in #Chicago, U.S. #BorderPatrol boss Gregory Bovino is using tactics similar to those that sparked lawsuits against him and other feds in #California.
@schuba.bsky.social @sophiesherry.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com @wbez.org
chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...
@schuba.bsky.social @sophiesherry.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com @wbez.org
chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...
From California to Chicago, a Border Patrol boss sparks accusations of race-based arrests
Gregory Bovino led aggressive immigration operations in California, leading to lawsuits questioning his agents’ tactics. The same tactics are being used in his “Operation Midway Blitz” mission in Chic...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Propelling a #deportation blitz in #Chicago, U.S. #BorderPatrol boss Gregory Bovino is using tactics similar to those that sparked lawsuits against him and other feds in #California.
@schuba.bsky.social @sophiesherry.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com @wbez.org
chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...
@schuba.bsky.social @sophiesherry.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com @wbez.org
chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
ICE agents blocked an ambulance that was trying to take an injured protester to hospital.
"We are still not being allowed to leave by ICE officers.” an EMT said on radio
When driver tried to get out, an agent yelled, "DON’T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN, I WILL SHOOT YOU"
www.wweek.com/news/2025/10...
"We are still not being allowed to leave by ICE officers.” an EMT said on radio
When driver tried to get out, an agent yelled, "DON’T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN, I WILL SHOOT YOU"
www.wweek.com/news/2025/10...
Documents Allege a Federal Agent at Portland ICE Threatened to Shoot an Ambulance Driver
Feds delayed medics who had come to pick up an injured protester. Then, according to confidential incident reports, the agents became aggressive.
www.wweek.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:05 PM
ICE agents blocked an ambulance that was trying to take an injured protester to hospital.
"We are still not being allowed to leave by ICE officers.” an EMT said on radio
When driver tried to get out, an agent yelled, "DON’T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN, I WILL SHOOT YOU"
www.wweek.com/news/2025/10...
"We are still not being allowed to leave by ICE officers.” an EMT said on radio
When driver tried to get out, an agent yelled, "DON’T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN, I WILL SHOOT YOU"
www.wweek.com/news/2025/10...
#Chicago’s public #housing agency has paid $22 million to companies tied to one of its board members, @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social finds.
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
October 11, 2025 at 3:06 PM
#Chicago’s public #housing agency has paid $22 million to companies tied to one of its board members, @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social finds.
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
🙏✍️👏
@chipmitchell1.bsky.social
@chicago.suntimes.com
@wbez.org
👏👏👏👏👏📻💡 🎤 📰 unedited interview transcript, full report, providing context, verified fact driven 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
@chipmitchell1.bsky.social
@chicago.suntimes.com
@wbez.org
👏👏👏👏👏📻💡 🎤 📰 unedited interview transcript, full report, providing context, verified fact driven 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Gregory Bovino, commander-at-large of the U.S. #BorderPatrol, claims a @wbez.org/@chicago.suntimes.com report about his comments Sunday in downtown #Chicago was "grossly inaccurate" and taken out of context. So we've posted the interview's unedited AUDIO and TRANSCRIPT:
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Transcript: Gregory Bovino says arrestees in downtown Chicago chosen partly based on ‘how they look’
WBEZ reporter Chip Mitchell spoke with U.S. Border Patrol commander about a deportation blitz downtown and in the upscale River North neighborhood. Here is the transcript and unedited audio interview.
www.wbez.org
October 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
🙏✍️👏
@chipmitchell1.bsky.social
@chicago.suntimes.com
@wbez.org
👏👏👏👏👏📻💡 🎤 📰 unedited interview transcript, full report, providing context, verified fact driven 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
@chipmitchell1.bsky.social
@chicago.suntimes.com
@wbez.org
👏👏👏👏👏📻💡 🎤 📰 unedited interview transcript, full report, providing context, verified fact driven 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Federal prosecutors in Chicago moved early Wednesday to dismiss criminal charges against a Chicago couple found lawfully carrying loaded pistols last month outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. trib.al/BaJsEyS
Feds dropping charges against couple who lawfully carried guns outside ICE facility
A defense attorney says a grand jury refused to indict in the high-profile case.
trib.al
October 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Federal prosecutors in Chicago moved early Wednesday to dismiss criminal charges against a Chicago couple found lawfully carrying loaded pistols last month outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. trib.al/BaJsEyS