One of the largest cities in America is trying to fight back against immigration agents using chemical weapons in its neighbourhoods.
Chicago has seen an increasing number of ICE raids in recent weeks, after President Donald Trump issued a warning to the city in September.
‘Chicago is about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,’ he wrote on Truth Social, referencing his ‘war’ on ‘illegal immigrants’.
ICE units have been in the city for well over a month now, with local residents attempting to fight back and scare them away – but the officers have been deploying tear gas against what they call ‘rioters and terrorists’.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said: ‘Rioters and terrorists have opened fire on officers, thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at them.
‘ICE officers are facing a nearly 1000% increase in assaults against them… as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members.’
But there are allegations that ICE has been throwing canisters of the gas into crowds ‘unannounced’, without their body cameras on.
Officers are reportedly required to give two audible warnings to those near where tear gas will be deployed – a key fact of the cases which Judge Sarah Ellis will look at when she sees US Customs and Border Control Commander Gregory Bovino in court today.
Is using tear gas legal, and is it a chemical weapon?
Under the Chemical Weapons Convention, tear gas is considered a chemical weapon internationally. Its use during war is banned, but using it for domestic law enforcement in the US is still permitted.
Though it’s legal for US police to use it for riot control, tear gas can still be incredibly dangerous.
Immediate effects include burning sensations in the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, along with coughing, shortness of breath, and temporary vision impairment.
More serious injuries, including blindness, glaucoma, and even death, can occur from prolonged exposure or high concentrations.
Young children, particularly those with asthma or respiratory problems, are at higher risk of complications.
Bovino told ABC News yesterday: ‘When we utilise force in law enforcement… It’s the least amount of force necessary to effect an arrest or to affect the successful outcome of any given mission that we’re on.
‘Whether it’s the use of tear gas. Or the use of hand techniques or any use of force by law enforcement, that’s the least amount of force necessary to positively affect the outcome of that mission. And that’s what we do here in Chicago.’
So far, ICE has been permitted to use tear gas – classified as a chemical weapon – in ‘limited circumstances’.
But multiple incidents this past weekend have prompted a judge to look into blocking the use of the chemical completely for fear of locals’ safety.
DHS Statement on arrests in Chicago this weekend
‘On October 25, 2025, Border Patrol conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who had previously been arrested for assault.
‘During the operations, Border Patrol agents were surrounded and boxed in by a group of agitators. Federal law enforcement issued multiple lawful commands and verbal warnings, all of which were ignored. During the operation, two U.S. citizens were arrested for assaulting and impeding a federal officer. To safely clear the area after multiple warnings and the crowd continuing to advance on them, Border Patrol had to deploy crowd control measures.
‘Our officers are facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, abusers, and gang members. Secretary Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.’
One concerned citizen is the husband of a pregnant woman, who was exposed to tear gas this weekend when it made its way into their home.
During one ICE arrest on Saturday, a local Halloween parade for children was interrupted when agents unleashed tear gas.
Raids on illegal immigrants are a key focal point of Trump’s second term in office, and the government has made it clear that it’s a priority for them.
DHS previously shared a video of immigrants being arrested, spliced together with the Pokémon theme tune.
Captioned ‘Gotta Catch ‘Em All’, the clip is a clear imitation of the popular anime, with images of Ash Ketchum and Pokémon balls cut together with footage of people being handcuffed.
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