Border czar Tom Homan indicated that U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could potentially face criminal charges for obstructing deportation efforts and aiding illegal immigrants. On Tuesday evening, the progressive congresswoman hosted an Instagram live webinar called “Know Your Rights,” where she provided guidance to illegal immigrants on how to “deal” with ICE.
The webinar, conducted in both English and Spanish, featured contributions from Ocasio-Cortez’s office and attorneys from the Immigrant Defense Project. “ICE raids are political tactics, and they’re often intended to create fear,” Genia Blaser, a lawyer with the Immigrant Defense Project, said on the nearly hour-long webinar. “This is a time where there is a lot of fear. And in fear, it’s really important to have knowledge because knowledge is power,” Blaser went on to say, further telling viewers that ICE agents are “often very aggressive, and the encounters can happen really quickly.”
In addition to the webinar, the congresswoman’s office is offering information about ICE tactics and advising illegal immigrants on how to “know your rights.” She is also encouraging immigrants with an outstanding removal order or those concerned about being apprehended by ICE to fill out a privacy release form so her office can step in and offer assistance.
One flyer on the congresswoman’s website notes that “You do not have to open the door” for ICE agents, and they don’t have the right to enter a home without a valid warrant signed by a judge. “You can ask them to slip the warrant under the door,” the flyer says. AOC’s office is also providing pro bono services for a number of immigration lawyers.
During an appearance on Fox News Thursday evening, Homan suggested that AOC could be facing criminal charges for aiding and abetting illegal immigrants. “I sent an email today to the Deputy Attorney General. At what level is that impediment? Is that impediment? I’m not an attorney. I’m not a prosecutor. Is that impediment? Is that impeding our law enforcement efforts?” Homan told host Laura Ingraham.
“If so, what are we going to do about it? Is she crossing the line? So I’m working with the Department of Justice and finding out where is that line that they crossed. So maybe AOC is going to be in trouble now, but I need the AOG to opine on that. Because impediment is impediment in my opinion. I’m not a prosecutor, but we need some further guidance on that. But again, if we have to take every federal dollar out of the city, we’ll do it.”