Judge grants restraining order protecting protesters, journalists in Chicago-area clashes
First Amendment suit bars federal agents from arresting peaceful protesters, working press
Peter HancockbyPeter Hancock October 9, 2025 - Updated on October 10, 2025 in Immigration
A few dozen protestors and reporters gathered outside an immigration enforcement facility in Broadview on Saturday, Oct. 4. The facility has become a focal point of protest since ICE officials expanded their immigration enforcement in Chicagoland. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Article Summary
A court order bars federal agents from arresting peaceful protesters or journalists covering immigration protests. It also bars them from using harsh crowd control methods such as tear gas and other “less-lethal” weapons and ammunition.
Protests have erupted after the Trump administration launched “Operation Midway Blitz” on Sept. 8 to crack down on immigrants living in the Chicago area without legal authorization. Most have taken place in the suburb of Broadview where Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates a detention facility.
News organizations, along with individual protesters and clergy, argued the tactics being used to suppress protests and news coverage of them violated First Amendment protections.
The Illinois Press Association withdrew as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, prompting its president and CEO Don Craven to resign.
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
A federal judge in Chicago issued a temporary restraining order Thursday, blocking federal agencies from using certain forceful tactics to suppress protests or prevent journalists from covering those protests.
https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/judge-grants-restraining-order-protecting-protesters-journalists-in-chicago-area-clashes/