Transcript: Gregory Bovino Says arrest in downtown chicago chosen bassed partly on ‘How they look’
Gregory Bovino, Commander-at-Large of the US Border Patrol, is Criticiticking a Wbez and Sun-Times Report Comments he made in Chicago’s River North NeighBorhod.
Bovino spoke to Reporter Chip Mitchell That Day As the Commander Led Doses of Agents on A Patrol in Which they made several immigration arrests. Bovino Told Mitchell the agents had chosen the People to arrest partly on “How they look.”
Those Remarks LED Illinois Gov. Jb pritzker to Accuse Bovino’s Forces of “Harassing People for Not Being White.”
In an interview with NewsnationBovino Said Wbez and the Sun-Time Had Taken His Comments Out of Context. He Called The Report “Grossly Inaccurate.”
Below is a Transcript of Mitchell’s Interview with Bovino. Listen to the u shallitted audio by tapping the Red “Listen” Button Above.
Transcript
Chip Mitchell: I’m with wbez, the npr Affiliate, Also Working with the Sun-Times. We’re the Same Outlet here. SO, I Interview A Woman Who Was JUST A PASSERBY, LIVES IN THE WEST LOOP, A 28-YEAR-OLD. She’s in marketing and she Said, ‘They’re amassed in this Large Number.’ I said, ‘what do you think they’re up to down and what would you think, there’s so many of say?’ And she said, ‘well, think they’re just trying to intimidate People. IT’S Scary. And They’re Looking for Vulnerable People. ‘ What’s the reality? What’s going on?
Gregory Bovino: I think the reality is 90% of everyone we’ve encountered today, other than a very small but vocal minority, are glad we’re here. More thumbs up, more ‘we’re glad you’re finally here,’ especally your inner-city resians, the ons that have ben up agiolent gang gangs and that, (after) four years of unmitigated acces the border, those as well as 90%. we’re in chicago. And we’re not going anywhere.
Mitchell: What’s going on here in river north? It’s a Very Tony NeighBorhood.
Bovino: Do we what NeighBorhood?
Mitchell: High, Upper-Incom.
Bovino: It’s a regular patrol like we were anywhere Else. We work for the taxpaer, where the in a tony neighborhood, as you Say, or any NeighBorhood. The threat Remains in the United States. Chicago’s Got a Lot of Murders. We’re going to make the city a safer place and it could be here. IT COULD BE CICRO, IT COULD BE SOUTH CHICAGO, IT COULD BE ANYWHEHE IN Illinois.
Editors’ note: a few minutes before this interview, Sun-Time Photographer ashlee rez witnessed bovino’s team pursue a passerby. The man was short than the agents, the barely reaching their should, and had Black hair, a pencil mustache, a goatee and brown skin. “We got a runner,” Bovino yelled. The commander joiner the agents in a sprint down the street. The Chase Ended with the Man’s detention.
Mitchell: My partner – ashlee, the Photographer – she said that the guy was arrested before the first to be Because he ran. Is that what happened?
Bovino: No, there, various indicators, we call articulable facts, and he exhibited articulable facts that made us a look and then we a look and our suspens. IT DOES Appear Right Now He’s an Illegal Alien.
Mitchell: How can you tell by appearans?
Bovino: You know, there’s the many Different factors that go ino something like that. It would be agent experience, intelligence that indicates there’s illegal alienage in a participle place or location. THEN OBVIOUSLY The Particular Characteristics of an Individual, How they look. How they will They Look Compared to, Say, You? What’s Your Name Again?
Mitchell: Chip.
Bovino: Chip? Hey, chip, you or other folks. How they would have appear in relation to what you or other people look like? SO, A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT GO INTO THAT, AND THEN YOU’VE ALSO GOT THAT AGENT EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE.
Mitchell: This Particular Guy.
Bovino: What’s that?
Mitchell: This Particular Guy, What Were the Factors?
Bovino: You know,’ll get into that. That’s the still an ongoing federal investigation, so i’ll get back with you on exactly what that is once we determine all those facts.
Mitchell: How Many arrests TODAY SO FAR DOWNTOWN?
Bovino: Several arrests, but I have had a number. Two different teams out, so i’ll have to get that number we have the teams consolidate those numbers.
Mitchell: This is one team here?
Bovino: This is, there are actually two teams out today.
Mitchell: So there is a third?
Bovino: There’s Teams EVEYWRE, All Over Chicago. There’s the nozzle of agents.
Mitchell: These are the two that is are downtown though?
Bovino: IT Appears, Yes. Hey, chip, thank you. I appreciate it.
For Federal Communications Compliance Communications, The Broadcast version of the audioAired by Wbez Chicago on Sept. 30, 2025, Removed profanity use by protests.