Waukegan’s mayor issued a bold statement Monday saying the U.S. Border Patrol commander and his convoy conducting immigration enforcement in Waukegan did so to “escalate chaos” and for “political theater.”
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham issued the statement on Monday evening, calling out U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, saying he did not come to Waukegan to serve, to protect or to help.
“As he has in other cities, Mr. Bovino came here to escalate chaos, to provoke confrontation, and to spread fear,” Cunningham said.
The mayor referenced the confrontation involving U.S. Border Patrol agents and Waukegan 3rd Ward Alderman Juan A. Martinez.
Martinez said he was driving back to work on Friday when he was confronted by federal agents on Baldwin Avenue in Waukegan.
The agents stopped their vehicle in front of him, approached his vehicle and pointed guns at him as he was sitting behind the wheel.
“I will be honest: I felt fear. I am a proud Latino leader, but no one should have to experience that kind of intimidation, especially from those sworn to uphold the law,” Martinez said.
“I am deeply shaken, but I am also more determined than ever to stand with my community,” he said. Martinez said he is grateful to be safe but what happened to him should “never happen to anyone.”
“We deserve accountability, respect, and the right to feel safe in our own city,” Martinez said, adding that Waukegan is a city that “chooses compassion over cruelty and unity over fear.”
Cunningham said Martinez was neither protesting nor acting aggressively at the time, as he also called out Bovino’s “disturbing” actions after he was seen on video playing rock-paper-scissors with another agent at the Exxon gas station at Glen Rock Avenue and Belvidere Road in Waukegan.
“While Waukegan families are simply trying to live, work, and survive, Mr. Bovino and these Border Patrol agents are laughing and playing games with people’s lives,” Cunningham said.
“That is not law enforcement. That is exactly the kind of fear and recklessness that Mr. Bovino and his team bring wherever they go. This time, he used Waukegan as his stage for political theater. Fortunately, no one got hurt,” he said.
Another video from Friday captured Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Elias Agalianos confronting Bovino.
“Respectfully, I know you have a job to do. Our community is very pissed off. I’m here to keep the peace,” Agalianos said.
Bovino questioned why they were angry. “Because they’re upset, they’re scared.”
Bovino asked Agalianos if he was upset, to which he responded that he was not and that he was there to do his job.
“I wish we had more of a heads-up on certain things, but I understand the overall security and safety for the operation — I get that. I’m here for safety. God bless ya’ll for doing what you do. Be safe.”
Bovino responded, “You guys be safe also. We’re going to keep the community safe.” Agalianos added that he and his officers responded due to the reckless actions of drivers who were following the Border Patrol convoy.
Bovino is a high-ranking official with the U.S. Border Patrol. He is the commander tasked with leading the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown in the Chicago area.
Bovino recently appeared in federal court amid a lawsuit against the Trump administration, leading to a judge issuing a temporary restraining order prohibiting agents from using tear gas and other riot control weapons against those who do not pose an immediate threat.
Cunningham said that he understands the concern and the anger some had over seeing the video between the two officials.
“… but I want to be clear: In the face of someone who was rude, antagonistic, and seeking a reaction, our officers remained calm, respectful, and disciplined. That is what properly trained law enforcement looks like. Our officers are professionals, trained to de-escalate, communicate, and protect, even when faced with an individual like Mr. Bovino who came to provoke and intimidate. That moment was not an endorsement or an agreement. It was de-escalation,” Cunningham said.
The mayor added that “we are not perfect” and “we make mistakes.”
“But, there is a difference between imperfection and bad intention. What happened is a reflection of two very different approaches to policing: one built on respect and one built on hostility. In Waukegan, we choose respect every time,” he said.
“We are not hiding from this moment. We are learning from it, but, most important of all, we continue to stand together with our community. In Waukegan, we stand firmly on the side of our immigrants, our working people, and everyone who calls this city home. Hate has no place here, not in our neighborhoods, not in our police force, not in our future,” Cunningham said.
The U.S. Border Patrol agents were first spotted in the Waukegan area around 10 a.m. Friday and made arrests throughout the day in the Waukegan area.
Videos from residents showed multiple SUVs and vans in their convoy driving around the Waukegan area, including on the north and south sides of the city.