BROADVIEW, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 27: U.S. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino leads his troop as they confront demonstrators outside of an immigrant processing center on September 27, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. The demo...BROADVIEW, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 27: U.S. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino leads his troop as they confront demonstrators outside of an immigrant processing center on September 27, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. The demonstrators were protesting a recent surge in ICE apprehensions in the Chicago area, part of a push by the Trump administration dubbed Operation Midway Blitz. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)MORE LESS
Federal prosecutors are beating a broad retreat from cases they had brought against people protesting the surge of CBP and ICE agents into Chicago.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
Attorneys for Martinez had planned to discuss more text messages they received from officers involved in the shooting at a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case had reviewed the texts in her chambers before ordering them released.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
Text messages from the Border Patrol officer involved in the shooting, Charles Exum, appeared to show him bragging about the incident. “Read it … I fired 5 shots and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” one text from Exum read.
Attorneys for Martinez had planned to discuss more text messages they received from officers involved in the shooting at a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case had reviewed the texts in her chambers before ordering them released.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
The motion to drop the charges against Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, another protester, comes at a critical time in the case.
Text messages from the Border Patrol officer involved in the shooting, Charles Exum, appeared to show him bragging about the incident. “Read it … I fired 5 shots and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” one text from Exum read.
Attorneys for Martinez had planned to discuss more text messages they received from officers involved in the shooting at a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case had reviewed the texts in her chambers before ordering them released.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
In the case of Marimar Martinez, the 30-year old Chicagoan shot five ties in October by a Border Patrol officer, DHS officials accused her of being part of a convoy of “10 cars” that “rammed” and “boxed” agents in. Those allegations were contradicted by an affidavit filed by federal agents in the case and evidence that was introduced later.
The motion to drop the charges against Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, another protester, comes at a critical time in the case.
Text messages from the Border Patrol officer involved in the shooting, Charles Exum, appeared to show him bragging about the incident. “Read it … I fired 5 shots and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” one text from Exum read.
Attorneys for Martinez had planned to discuss more text messages they received from officers involved in the shooting at a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case had reviewed the texts in her chambers before ordering them released.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
Now, the cases have come to nothing amid increasing scrutiny from the courts.
In the case of Marimar Martinez, the 30-year old Chicagoan shot five ties in October by a Border Patrol officer, DHS officials accused her of being part of a convoy of “10 cars” that “rammed” and “boxed” agents in. Those allegations were contradicted by an affidavit filed by federal agents in the case and evidence that was introduced later.
The motion to drop the charges against Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, another protester, comes at a critical time in the case.
Text messages from the Border Patrol officer involved in the shooting, Charles Exum, appeared to show him bragging about the incident. “Read it … I fired 5 shots and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” one text from Exum read.
Attorneys for Martinez had planned to discuss more text messages they received from officers involved in the shooting at a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case had reviewed the texts in her chambers before ordering them released.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
It is a stunning comedown. Prosecutors moved to abandon on Thursday three cases brought against protestors, two of which DHS described as being brought against “domestic terrorists” as part of a national media campaign to portray the situation in Chicago as demanding a military deployment.
Now, the cases have come to nothing amid increasing scrutiny from the courts.
In the case of Marimar Martinez, the 30-year old Chicagoan shot five ties in October by a Border Patrol officer, DHS officials accused her of being part of a convoy of “10 cars” that “rammed” and “boxed” agents in. Those allegations were contradicted by an affidavit filed by federal agents in the case and evidence that was introduced later.
The motion to drop the charges against Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, another protester, comes at a critical time in the case.
Text messages from the Border Patrol officer involved in the shooting, Charles Exum, appeared to show him bragging about the incident. “Read it … I fired 5 shots and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” one text from Exum read.
Attorneys for Martinez had planned to discuss more text messages they received from officers involved in the shooting at a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case had reviewed the texts in her chambers before ordering them released.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
It is a stunning comedown. Prosecutors moved to abandon on Thursday three cases brought against protestors, two of which DHS described as being brought against “domestic terrorists” as part of a national media campaign to portray the situation in Chicago as demanding a military deployment.
Now, the cases have come to nothing amid increasing scrutiny from the courts.
In the case of Marimar Martinez, the 30-year old Chicagoan shot five ties in October by a Border Patrol officer, DHS officials accused her of being part of a convoy of “10 cars” that “rammed” and “boxed” agents in. Those allegations were contradicted by an affidavit filed by federal agents in the case and evidence that was introduced later.
The motion to drop the charges against Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, another protester, comes at a critical time in the case.
Text messages from the Border Patrol officer involved in the shooting, Charles Exum, appeared to show him bragging about the incident. “Read it … I fired 5 shots and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys,” one text from Exum read.
Attorneys for Martinez had planned to discuss more text messages they received from officers involved in the shooting at a hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon. The judge in the case had reviewed the texts in her chambers before ordering them released.
Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case hours before the hearing.
Christopher Parente, an attorney for Martinez, told TPM that he would still go to the hearing.
“We are happy that the U.S. Attorney’s Office made the right decision here,” he said.
DHS and DOJ spokespeople did not immediately return TPM’s request for comment.
The judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis for the Northern District of Illinois, will still have a chance to review the circumstances of the dismissal, though these motions are typically approved.
Chicago federal prosecutors also moved to dismiss a case on Thursday against Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran initially charged with felony assault over an Oct. 4 incident. Per a charging document, Briggs brushed against a Border Patrol officer as he tried to hand his phone off to another protestor while being placed under arrest.
Prosecutors first downgraded that case to a misdemeanor. On Thursday, they moved to dismiss the matter entirely.
The dismissals come after CBP commander and mass deportation hype man Greg Bovino left Chicago for an operation in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bovino was accused multiple times of violating a court order barring him and other federal officials from using tear gas unless absolutely necessary; Briggs had asked for him to testify in his case.
Per a report in the South Side Weekly, federal agents in Chicago used tear gas and pepper spray more times in one day in October than Chicago Police did all year.
