Dozens of federal agents roamed Chicago’s streets on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 28. Gregory Bovino, a top border patrol commander, said agents consider a persons appearance before taking them into custody. This has caused a wide range of responses, both supporting and dissenting. Illinois’ Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker says, “This is not making anybody safer – it’s a show of intimidation, instilling fear in our communities and hurting our businesses.”

On the heels of a Supreme Court ruling a several weeks saying federal agents could continue arresting people based on their appearance, the situation in Chicago is telling. As Bovino told a WBEZ reporter about their arrest strategies, he compared the appearance of the white reporter to the otherness of their “targets.” This is a further escalation of racial tension throughout the country, and it’s important to be educated, mindful, and respectful when these issues come up.