At a recent town hall in Queens, New York, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) addressed former ICE Director Tom Homan’s suggestion that her “Know Your Rights” webinar might impede federal immigration enforcement. Ocasio-Cortez defended her actions, stating, “Tom Homan said he was going to refer me to DOJ because I’m using my free speech rights in order to advise people of their constitutional protections. To that I say: ‘Come for me, do I look like I care?'”
The webinar in question provided information to undocumented immigrants about their legal rights, including advising them to request warrants from ICE agents and to record interactions. Homan expressed concern that such guidance could hinder law enforcement efforts, stating, “What she’s really doing… she’s trying to teach them how to evade law enforcement.”
In an appearance in February on Sunday Morning Futures, Homan was more specific:
What she needs to do is read the statutes enacted by Congress… because it’s a crime to enter this country illegally. Not only that, but when you harbor and conceal and impede law enforcement, that’s a felony. What she’s doing, she says she’s educating everybody on their constitutional rights, and we all know they’ve got constitutional rights, but what she’s really doing… she’s trying to teach them how to evade law enforcement.
During the town hall, Ocasio-Cortez also criticized the Trump administration’s immigration policies, referring to the removal of Venezuelan gang members as “sanctioned kidnappings.” She emphasized that agents don’t have “carte blanche” to enter homes and arrest individuals without a warrant.
The event also saw a protester confront Ocasio-Cortez over her stance on the conflict in Gaza, accusing her of not doing enough to address the situation. The congresswoman responded by reaffirming her commitment to open dialogue while emphasizing the importance of respectful discourse.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and the role of elected officials in advising constituents on their rights. It also underscores the tensions within the Democratic Party regarding foreign policy and the handling of international conflicts.
