A tense street showdown broke out Wednesday in Evanston, Ill., after the city’s progressive mayor confronted a Border Patrol commander during a federal immigration enforcement operation, drawing protesters who attempted to disrupt agents carrying out their duties.
The confrontation unfolded around 11:30 a.m. near Green Bay Road and Dodge Avenue as an 11-vehicle Border Patrol convoy arrived to conduct Title 8 immigration enforcement. Witnesses said agents detained at least two individuals before a crowd of roughly two dozen protesters descended on the scene.
Video shared by FOX 32 Chicago reporter Paris Schutz shows Mayor Daniel Biss, a Democrat and congressional candidate, striding directly toward Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino as protesters shouted and blew whistles around them.
“The abuse has not been acceptable. The racism has not been acceptable. The violence has not been acceptable,” Biss declared.
Bovino pushed back, responding, “Yeah, that’s why we’re here in your community,” as agents in tactical gear stood nearby.
As the situation escalated, protesters shouted insults at the commander and attempted to block traffic, forcing Evanston and Chicago police officers to intervene and keep an exit route open for federal vehicles.
LAYING DOWN THE LAW: Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino and Evanston, Illinois Mayor Daniel Biss get into a heated confrontation over an immigration enforcement operation.
Biss, a progressive Democrat and congressional candidate, accused Bovino and ICE of “unacceptable” abuse,… pic.twitter.com/pAcbiU9ylj
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 18, 2025
Following the encounter, Biss doubled down online, attacking the agents in a post on X.
“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.
He claimed the city is “safe in spite of ICE/CBP, not because of it,” praised protesters who he said “chased you out of town,” and warned, “Don’t come back.”
Bovino rejected the mayor’s characterization and defended the operation, calling the exchange productive.
He said agents were in Evanston “to make his city a safer place through Title 8 immigration enforcement” and accused Biss of falling back on “the divisive talking points that we’ve heard ad nauseam.” Bovino described it as an “excellent day in Evanston.”
According to Bovino, local police assisted federal agents by controlling the crowd and ensuring vehicles could exit safely. Video from the scene shows officers directing traffic as demonstrators surged toward the convoy.
Title 8 provides federal authority to conduct immigration enforcement nationwide, including interior operations targeting specific individuals.
The clash highlights mounting resistance from progressive local officials as federal authorities expand enforcement operations into Democrat-run communities.
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