Jason Meisner

Jason Meisner has covered the federal courts beat since 2013, writing about political corruption, terrorism and gang racketeering. In 2018, he was part of the Tribune's award-winning team covering the historic murder trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino buys drinks and food at a Skokie gas station while conducting immigration enforcement sweeps on Oct. 31, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Informant expected to take stand in trial of Chicago man accused of promoting bounty on Gregory Bovino’s head

January 21, 2026 at 12:16 p.m.

A federal jury is expected to hear testimony Wednesday from a government informant who said a Chicago man passed along a bounty from the Latin Kings street gang calling for...

U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino carries tear gas, a rifle and a body camera while conducting immigration enforcement operations on Oct. 31, 2025, in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bodycam footage from Operation Midway Blitz released: ‘It’s all about arresting people’

November 28, 2025 at 3:51 p.m.

The group of videos made public through the Loevy & Loevy law firm includes footage from agents who responded to controversial arrest operations in the Little Village and Irving Park...

Marimar Martinez arrives for a hearing, Nov. 5, 2025, at Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago’s Loop. Martinez was shot by federal immigration agents during an altercation in the Brighton Park neighborhood in October. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

More texts uncovered from Border Patrol agent who bragged about ‘shooting skills’ after wounding Chicago woman

November 21, 2025 at 8:33 a.m.

A immigration agent who bragged to colleagues about his marksmanship after shooting a Chicago woman accused of ramming his vehicle sent other text messages that are now in the hands...

U.S. Border Patrol agents exchange handcuffs for plastic zipties while transferring detainees they picked up landscaping on Chicago’s Northwest Side into a van in Niles on Oct. 31, 2025, during immigration enforcement operations. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Only 2.6% on list of 614 ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ arrestees had criminal histories, DOJ records show

November 15, 2025 at 9:54 a.m.

Meanwhile, the other 598 people on the list had no listed criminal history at all.

Federal officers detain a person during an immigration enforcement action in the Little Village neighborhood on Nov. 8, 2025 in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Federal judge says he’ll order release of hundreds of ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ arrestees on bond

November 13, 2025 at 6:06 p.m.

A federal judge in Chicago said he plans to grant bond to hundreds of immigrants whose arrests under "Operation Midway Blitz" allegedly violated a consent decree against "warrantless arrests."

Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino walks with agents conducting immigration enforcement sweeps in the Edison Park neighborhood on Oct. 31, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Judge orders release of US Border Patrol head Gregory Bovino deposition videos: Watch them here

November 6, 2025 at 6:58 p.m.

The recordings were filed under seal as part of a lawsuit led by the Chicago Headline Club.

Federal officers detain a person while members of the community and activists protest near the 3900 block of South Kedzie Avenue on Oct. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

‘The use of force shocks the conscience’: Judge issues sweeping injunction on Chicago tactics of immigration agents

November 6, 2025 at 5:53 p.m.

The incoming preliminary injunction replaces a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in early October that was set to expire at 11:30 a.m.

The Rev. Daniel McCormack arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 2, 2007. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)

‘They’ve got everlasting money, bro’: Chicago archdiocese alleges conspiracy to file false sex abuse claims against defrocked priest

March 25, 2025 at 10:55 a.m.

An unusual new lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of Chicago on Monday alleged a group of mostly West Side residents conspired for years to bring false allegations of sexual abuse...

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‘They’ve got everlasting money, bro’: Chicago archdiocese alleges conspiracy to file false sex abuse claims against defrocked priest

October 30, 2025 at 6:58 p.m.

An unusual new lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of Chicago on Monday alleged a group of mostly West Side residents conspired for years to bring false allegations of sexual abuse...

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