In a bold display of defiance, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the progressive "Squad," has challenged Tom Homan, the border czar, to take legal action against her.
This comes in response to Homan's threat of prosecution for her attempts to obstruct President Trump's mass deportations. The New York Post reports that the Bronx and Queens Democrat made this daring statement during a packed town hall in Jackson Heights, Queens.
"Tom Homan said he was going to refer me to DOJ because Im 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?" Ocasio-Cortez declared to the crowd. She further emphasized that her actions were not illegal, and if authorities wished to make them so, they could "come take me."
Earlier this year, Ocasio-Cortez hosted a webinar and shared a "Know Your Rights" pamphlet with her over 12 million followers on social media. The aim was to provide illegal immigrants with advice on how to evade federal authorities. Homan, in an interview with Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, revealed that he had been collaborating with the Department of Justice to identify those obstructing deportations.
"Maybe AOC is going to be in trouble now," Homan warned, indicating that immigration authorities were on the lookout for individuals aiding illegal aliens in the US. The pamphlet distributed by Ocasio-Cortez advised immigrants not to open their doors to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents without a warrant signed by a judge.
Genia Blaser, an Immigrant Defense Project lawyer, who participated in the webinar, described ICE raids as political tactics designed to instill fear. She criticized ICE's use of rhetoric to criminalize immigrants and justify their actions, often describing encounters between migrants and ICE as aggressive.
Homan, however, countered Ocasio-Cortez's actions, stating, "What she needs to do is read the statutes enacted by Congress, because its a crime to enter this country illegally." He further added that harboring, concealing, and impeding law enforcement constituted a felony.
Ocasio-Cortez, in response, suggested that Homan should familiarize himself with the Constitution. She and other Democrats have expressed concern over the deportations, which she referred to as "state-sanctioned kidnappings" during her town hall.
The congresswoman also faced criticism during the town hall for her perceived inaction regarding the "genocide in Gaza." An attendee accused her of being a "war criminal," leading to her removal from the auditorium. Ocasio-Cortez responded by welcoming disagreement but insisted on maintaining decorum during the event.
Despite her apology to constituents for voting "present" on U.S. funding to Israels Iron Dome missile defense system, Ocasio-Cortez has not hesitated to vote down resolutions condemning Hamas terrorists and large military aid packages to Israel. This has raised questions about her stance on immigration and national security, as well as her commitment to upholding the rule of law.
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