In a recent interview with CNN, Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border czar 2.0, complained that illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities are “very difficult” to apprehend because they are aware of their rights when faced with ICE raids.
The Trump loyalist, who previously led the agency, also stated that the sanctuary cities themselves are somehow obstructing the mass deportations plan promoted by the federal government. “For instance, Chicago—very well-educated,“ Homan said. ”They‘ve been educated on how to defy ICE, how to hide from ICE. I‘ve seen many pamphlets from many NGOs: ’Here‘s how you escape ICE from arresting you. Here‘s what you need to do.’ They call it ‘Know Your Rights.’ I call it ‘how to escape arrest’”.
Most likely, the border czar was referring to a program launched by Illinois City Mayor Brandon Johnson called “Know Your Rights.” That campaign encourages citizens whose homes are visited by ICE not to open the front door unless the agents have a warrant signed by a judge.
Homan said, however, that such techniques will not deter agency officials: “If we gotta play that cat and mouse game, that’s what we’re going to do ‘til every one of them’s gone.”
According to data reported by NBC, ICE has made no fewer than 4,829 arrests since Trump returned to the White House.
These numbers are bound to increase, given also the latest regulations of the federal government, which has “required” the agency to maintain an average of about 75 arrests daily.
Meanwhile, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer announced the opening of a new investigation involving sanctuary cities. The latter also summoned the mayors of Chicago (Johnson), Denver (Mike Johnston), Boston (Michelle Wu) and New York (Eric Adams) to testify on Capitol Hill.
“Four cities stand out in their abject failure to comply with federal law: Chicago, New York City, Denver, and Boston. Citizens of all four cities have suffered due to sanctuary policies,” Comer said. “The policies hinder the ability of federal law enforcement officers to effectuate safe arrests and remove dangerous criminals from American communities” he added.
The four mayors will travel to Washington on February 11. A spokesman for the Boston city administration said: “We are proud that our city is the safest in the United States”.
