Former Border Czar Tom Homan slams Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over her involvement in a migrant webinar while urging her to focus on legislation instead of interfering with immigration enforcement.
At a Glance
- Homan criticized AOC for participating in a webinar that advised migrants on dealing with ICE agents
- AOC questioned whether the DOJ would pursue action against her, claiming she had not been contacted about any investigation
- Homan called for consequences against Democratic lawmakers who allegedly stormed an ICE facility in Newark
- Ocasio-Cortez warned Homan against taking action against NJ Representatives involved in the protest
- The confrontation highlights growing tensions over immigration enforcement policies
Homan Challenges AOC to Focus on Legislation
Former ICE Director and Trump Border Czar Tom Homan has fired back at Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez following her comments about a potential Department of Justice probe. The dispute centers on Ocasio-Cortez’s participation in a webinar that provided guidance to migrants on handling interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Homan suggested the New York congresswoman should redirect her attention to her legislative responsibilities rather than interfering with immigration enforcement operations.
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“Why doesn’t she pass some legislation? I mean, why doesn’t she work across the aisle to do something good for this country instead of doing a webinar on how to hide from ICE?” Homan said. The former Border Czar defended his record on immigration enforcement, pointing out that under his leadership, ICE arrested more criminals than the current administration has managed to do. This comparison comes amid ongoing criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of border security and immigration enforcement.
Confrontation Over ICE Facility Protest
The conflict between Homan and Ocasio-Cortez expanded to include Democratic lawmakers who recently protested at an ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. Homan expressed support for consequences against representatives who allegedly entered ICE property unauthorized. The incident involved several Democratic lawmakers including Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Senator Robert Menendez, and Assemblywoman Angela McKiver, who demonstrated outside the Delaney Hall detention center where Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was reportedly arrested.
Ocasio-Cortez responded to Homan’s comments with a warning, stating that he should not target her colleagues from New Jersey. “I would suggest that he not go after Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and that whole crew, because I don’t think he wants that,” she stated. This prompted a dismissive response from Homan who suggested she should focus on her job instead of issuing threats.
Legal Questions and Potential Consequences
The confrontation has raised questions about the legal boundaries of congressional involvement in immigration matters. Ocasio-Cortez has defended her participation in the migrant webinar as constitutionally protected free speech, expressing indifference to potential consequences. “I don’t care. Go ahead and investigate me. I have done nothing wrong. I’m going to keep speaking about what ICE is doing,” she declared when questioned about possible repercussions.
Meanwhile, Homan indicated he has been working with the Department of Justice to determine what legal boundaries may have been crossed. He suggested that Ocasio-Cortez might face trouble for her actions, particularly as they relate to advising migrants on evading law enforcement. This dispute unfolds against the backdrop of Homan’s recent meeting with House GOP members at the invitation of Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger to discuss immigration and border security policies.
The ongoing political clash highlights the deep divisions over immigration policy and enforcement that continue to define partisan differences in Washington. As both sides dig in, the controversy may lead to increased scrutiny and potentially formal investigations into the conduct of elected officials regarding immigration enforcement activities.
