The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed a temporary 12-day ban on private drone flights over a vast area of Chicago, citing “special security reasons.” The restrictions, effective through October 12, cover a 15-nautical-mile radius from Downtown Chicago, extending into the northern, southern, and western suburbs. The move comes as federal immigration enforcement actions intensify in the area.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requested the restrictions, citing a credible threat that drones might be used against law enforcement during operations like the ongoing “Midway Blitz.” The FAA’s decision was made without prior public notice, unlike typical drone flight restrictions, which are usually issued with several days’ warning.
The wide-ranging ban has sparked worries, particularly among civil rights groups. The ACLU of Illinois spoke out against the restrictions, claiming they aimed to restrict the public and media’s ability to oversee immigration enforcement actions. Edwin Yohnka from the ACLU expressed concerns that the ban might serve as a disguise for more drone and helicopter surveillance by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without adequate oversight.
Drone operators like Troy Walsh from Drone Media Chicago are frustrated by the disruption caused by the ban on their business. Although they can request waivers for special flights, the ongoing government shutdown is likely to delay these approvals. This will further limit commercial drone operations.
This move follows a growing trend of using aviation regulations for national security and law enforcement, with similar restrictions previously set in Portland and Los Angeles. However, the scale of the Chicago ban is unprecedented, raising questions about the future of drone regulation and public oversight.
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