A federal immigration enforcement mission in Evanston, Illinois, erupted into a tense street confrontation after the city’s progressive mayor physically approached and berated a Border Patrol commander.
The confrontation prompted a surge of protesters who attempted to disrupt agents carrying out Title 8 operations.
The clash unfolded on Wednesday around 11:30 a.m. near Green Bay Road and Dodge Avenue, where an 11-vehicle Border Patrol convoy had arrived to execute a targeted enforcement action. Witnesses said agents detained at least two individuals before roughly two dozen protesters descended on the scene.
Video captured by FOX 32 Chicago reporter Paris Schutz shows Mayor Daniel Biss, a Democrat and current congressional candidate, striding toward Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino as protesters shouted, blew whistles, and attempted to interfere with the ongoing operation.
Conveniently, Biss was surrounded by reporters when he approached the Border Patrol chief.
“The abuse has not been acceptable,” Biss nervously declared.
“The racism has not been acceptable.
“The violence has not been acceptable.”
Bovino immediately pushed back.
“Yeah, that’s why we’re here in your community,” he replied, as federal agents in tactical gear formed a perimeter.
Bovino continued to explain to Biss that Border Patrol has been deployed to tackle violent foreign criminals who have been allowed to roam free on the mayor’s watch.
“I am not aware of that happening,” Biss claimed.
“That’s probably the problem, Bovino noted.
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As tensions rose, protesters hurled insults, attempted to block traffic, and surged toward the convoy, forcing Evanston and Chicago police officers to intervene to maintain an exit route for federal vehicles.
Following the exchange, Biss escalated his criticism online, accusing the commander and his agents of misconduct.
“The only ‘violent mob’ in Evanston today was Greg Bovino and his masked thugs, terrorizing innocent people and then lying about our city to try and sow chaos,” Biss wrote on X.
He went on to claim the city is “safe in spite of ICE/CBP, not because of it,” applauded protesters who he said “chased you out of town,” and warned federal authorities: “Don’t come back.”
Bovino rejected the mayor’s accusations and defended the mission.
He said agents were in Evanston “to make his city a safer place through Title 8 immigration enforcement.”
Bovino accused Biss of reverting to “the divisive talking points that we’ve heard ad nauseam.”
The Border Patrol chief also called it an “excellent day in Evanston.”
According to Bovino, local police cooperated with federal agents by helping to manage the crowd and keep traffic flowing.
Video from the scene shows officers directing vehicles as demonstrators pressed toward the departing convoy.
Title 8 grants federal authorities nationwide jurisdiction to conduct immigration enforcement, including in the interior of the United States, and to pursue specific individuals regardless of sanctuary policies or local political objections.
The confrontation underscores growing friction between progressive mayors and federal immigration authorities as the Trump administration expands enforcement operations into Democrat-run jurisdictions.
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