By Harshit, Chicago | October 20, 2025 7 AM EDT
Days before a critical hearing regarding federal immigration enforcement in Chicago, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Field Director Russell Hott is leaving the city, prompting the substitution of two other officials to testify before US District Judge Sara Ellis on Monday. The hearing comes amid rising tensions over federal immigration operations and public protests against President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Judge Ellis Seeks Clarity on Federal Actions
Judge Ellis, an Obama appointee, has repeatedly expressed concerns over whether federal agents are complying with her restraining orders. Earlier this month, she issued a sweeping order limiting the use of force, crowd control tactics, and actions against journalists documenting ICE protests in Chicago. Last week, the judge expanded her restraining order, mandating that federal agents equipped with body-worn cameras keep them activated while interacting with demonstrators.
“I’m really not happy,” Ellis said from the bench. “At least from what I’m seeing, I’m having serious concerns that my order’s being followed.” The judge stressed that she wanted clear answers regarding reports of tear gas deployment and other aggressive tactics, emphasizing the need for transparency in the ongoing federal operation.
Replacement Officials to Testify
Hott, who served in Chicago as interim field operations director, is returning to his permanent post in Washington, DC, according to DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin. To ensure the court receives the necessary testimony, the Department of Justice proposed CBP Deputy Incident Commander Kyle C. Harvick and ICE Deputy Field Office Director Shawn Byers as replacements. Federal officials noted that recent tear gas incidents involved Border Patrol personnel, making Harvick a particularly relevant witness.
Judge Ellis stated she had no desire to “micromanage” the government’s choice of witnesses but made it clear that whoever appeared must provide thorough answers. “Whoever comes has to be able to answer these questions,” she said. “And if the government chooses … to bring someone in and that person’s answers to me are ‘I don’t know’ and ‘It’s not my responsibility,’ then we’ll come in Tuesday with a different person until I get the answers I want.” Both Harvick and Byers are scheduled to testify in person at 10:30 a.m. local time on Monday.
Protests Continue at Broadview ICE Facility
The hearings coincide with continued protests at the Broadview ICE facility, located just outside Chicago. This weekend marked the first demonstrations since a fence at the site was removed, which had previously been a flashpoint for confrontations.
On Friday, over 100 protesters gathered outside the facility, with Broadview police, Cook County sheriff’s deputies, and Illinois State Police present to maintain order. The protest, though loud, remained largely peaceful, with 15 arrests reported by 5 p.m. CT. Another demonstration on Saturday resulted in at least 15 additional arrests. Displaced residents living near the facility have described their neighborhoods as dangerous zones, with the constant threat of gunfire, tear gas, and other hazards limiting their ability to return home.
Operation Midway Blitz and Arrests
The backdrop of these events is “Operation Midway Blitz,” the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement initiative that resulted in over 1,000 arrests of migrants across Illinois between September 8 and October 3, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Judge Ellis has made clear that her primary concern is ensuring federal agents follow her restraining orders, particularly regarding interactions with journalists, protesters, and undocumented migrants.
The requirement to activate body-worn cameras is part of her effort to improve accountability and ensure that federal actions are documented. “That’s the nice thing about body cameras,” Ellis said, “they pick up events before the triggering event happens.” She has maintained that enforcement must be conducted lawfully and transparently, warning that noncompliance will result in stricter oversight.
Looking Ahead
As federal officials prepare to testify, the court will continue monitoring ICE operations in Chicago closely. The hearing could influence future enforcement tactics, the deployment of body cameras, and broader implementation of federal immigration policies in urban areas. Both local authorities and the public are watching carefully, concerned about the balance between maintaining order and protecting the rights of protesters and residents.
With protests ongoing and federal officials under scrutiny, the situation in Chicago remains tense but largely peaceful. Judge Ellis’s insistence on accountability signals a determination to hold federal agents to legal standards, ensuring that the public’s right to protest and report is respected, even amid one of the Trump administration’s most aggressive immigration crackdowns.
