Increase in assaults on ICE agents linked to sanctuary city policies, asserts Noem
In a press conference held in Chicago, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted the consequences of Illinois' sanctuary policies, which she believes harbour violent criminal illegal aliens.
Secretary Noem emphasised a significant rise in assaults on DHS agents, claiming a 1,000% increase, and argued that sanctuary city policies impede proper enforcement and public safety by allowing dangerous criminals to remain free.
She highlighted data showing 1,664 ICE detainers issued in Chicago, with only 8% honoured by local authorities, illustrating a lack of cooperation with federal immigration enforcement under sanctuary policies.
Four specific cases of criminal illegal aliens who were arrested and deported were showcased to demonstrate the risks to community safety under sanctuary protections, including crimes such as sexual assault and attempted murder.
Noem criticised Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for maintaining sanctuary policies, accusing them of prioritising the protection of illegal immigrants over the safety of American citizens.
The DHS under Noem’s leadership reported enforcement successes, including three consecutive months of zero illegal border crossings, arrests of hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal aliens, and large seizures of fentanyl, underscoring a commitment to strict immigration law enforcement.
Noem defended the tactics used by ICE agents, including identity concealment, as necessary responses to the growing incidents of assaults against officers.
The press conference aimed to publicly associate sanctuary policies with increased crime risks and attacks on federal immigration officers, to pressure state and local officials to end sanctuary protections, and to underline the federal administration’s active enforcement agenda under former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Noem stated that the violence has not stopped or slowed down the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to enforce the law. She asserted that the Department continues to arrest "the most depraved criminals" including pedophiles, terrorists, murderers, gang members, and sexual predators.
The increase in assaults is a significant rise from previous reported levels. Noem attributes the high number of assaults on DHS law enforcement to "acts of violence fueled by sanctuary politicians' rhetoric vilifying our law enforcement."
The news conference is a continuation of the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to address the increasing assaults against their law enforcement agents. It is intended to "expose the deadly cost of sanctuary policies."
The Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem remains committed to enforcing the law and arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens, despite facing increased violence and assaults.
- Secretary Noem argued that sanctuary city policies, such as those in Illinois, hinder proper enforcement and public safety by allowing dangerous criminals to remain free, as demonstrated by the 1,664 ICE detainers issued in Chicago, with only 8% honored by local authorities.
- In her defense of the Department of Homeland Security's tactics, Secretary Noem asserted that the increase in assaults on DHS law enforcement is fueled by acts of violence that stem from sanctuary politicians' rhetoric vilifying law enforcement, and that the department remains committed to enforcing the law and arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.
