Federal courts intensified scrutiny of immigration raids by restricting chemical force at protests, underscoring tightening limits on crowd-control tactics. Recent injunctions in late 2025 and early 2026 curbed tear gas use against peaceful demonstrators during immigration enforcement operations. The rulings cite First Amendment rights and require evidence of immediate threats before Border Patrol deploys chemical munitions. Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino vowed to use the minimum force necessary, drawing skepticism after a Chicago judge said he misrepresented tear gas events. In Minnesota, Judge Kate Menendez barred chemical munitions and detentions of nonviolent observers during immigration operations.