In an intense exchange on The Ingraham Angle on Fox News Channel, former Trump Administration Border Czar Tom Homan raised the prospect that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could face legal consequences after a recent webinar in which she provided guidance to illegal immigrants. Homan suggested that Ocasio-Cortez’s actions could be obstructing law enforcement efforts, an allegation that could lead to an investigation by the Department of Justice.
The controversy centers around a webinar that Ocasio-Cortez shared online, where she advised illegal immigrants on how to protect themselves in the face of potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. In the video, Ocasio-Cortez encouraged people to “defend your community and our constitution” by exercising their rights if ICE agents come to their workplace or home. She went on to explain that illegal immigrants and citizens alike should be prepared to respond to any ICE action, emphasizing that “they cannot come after us all,” referring to the strength in numbers that she believes the immigrant community holds.
Ocasio-Cortez also urged her followers to spread the information by posting tips and advice in visible locations, such as workplaces and homes, where ICE raids could occur. Her call for resistance, particularly her emphasis on standing up to ICE agents, drew sharp criticism from conservatives, who viewed it as an encouragement for illegal immigrants to thwart law enforcement actions.
During the Fox News segment, host Laura Ingraham asked Homan whether he thought Ocasio-Cortez had gone too far in her advice, and he did not mince words. Homan responded by suggesting that the Congresswoman might have broken the law with her comments. “I sent an email today to the deputy attorney general,” Homan said, referencing his efforts to seek guidance on whether Ocasio-Cortez’s actions amounted to obstruction. He raised the question of whether such public statements impeded law enforcement efforts, particularly in the context of ongoing efforts to detain individuals in the country illegally.
Homan’s remarks, which were followed by a broad claim that Ocasio-Cortez’s comments could be seen as an attempt to undermine ICE’s work, left the door open for further legal scrutiny. “At what point do comments like those become an impediment to law enforcement operations?” Homan questioned. “Is that illegal? Is that obstruction? I’m not a prosecutor, but if it is, we need to understand where that line is drawn.”
His comments ignited a firestorm of reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Eric Daugherty, a conservative political commentator, posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) calling attention to Homan’s statement, writing, “HOLY SHT!! Border Czar Tom Homan just said he has referred Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to the DOJ for potential PROSECUTION after she potentially impeded law enforcement from finding illegal aliens. Homan: ‘We’re DONE [with this].’”
The legal implications of Homan’s comments were not lost on the public. While it remains unclear whether the Department of Justice will pursue any action, the fact that Ocasio-Cortez’s advice to illegal immigrants has attracted such attention raises questions about how far public officials can go in providing support to those who may be evading federal laws.
The situation took another dramatic turn when Ocasio-Cortez responded on the left-wing platform Bluesky. Mocking Homan’s comments, she wrote, “MaYbe shE’s goiNg to be in TroUble nOw. Maybe he can learn to read. The Constitution would be a good place to start.” Ocasio-Cortez’s sarcastic reply aimed to downplay the seriousness of Homan’s remarks and defend her position on the matter, asserting that she was simply advocating for the rights and dignity of those affected by immigration laws.
Despite her dismissal of the situation, the controversy over her comments continues to resonate in both legal and political circles. Advocates for stronger immigration enforcement argue that Ocasio-Cortez’s rhetoric could embolden illegal immigrants to resist legal authority, while her supporters maintain that she is merely promoting the protection of civil rights for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether Ocasio-Cortez’s comments will result in any legal repercussions. Homan’s referral to the Department of Justice signals that the issue may not be settled easily and could evolve into a significant legal battle regarding the limits of free speech, civil disobedience, and the rights of immigrants in the U.S.
