Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and others who advise illegal immigrants on how to avoid being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are “skirting the line” legally, according to a former federal prosecutor, who warned over the weekend that she could be in legal hot water.
Jonathan Fahey’s comments follow repeated warnings from Trump administration border czar Tom Homan last week that AOC might be breaking the law by impeding ICE agents’ ability to perform their duties.
Homan went on to say that he is now asking the Justice Department for a legal opinion on what qualifies as “impediment,” which may be a felony.
During a show on Friday, Fox News host Bryan Llenas questioned Fahey on whether Homan “has a point.”
He does have a point, but it’s more about the overall image. When you contrast what he is doing—trying to get rid of the most dangerous offenders who are also illegal aliens—with what she is doing to keep them here, Fahey started.
However, I believe that she is truly stepping over the line on a few occasions. First, is justice being obstructed? Are these webinars a ploy to keep illegal aliens in the nation, or are they actually meant to educate people? Fahey went on. She refers to illegal aliens as regular Americans or something, as though they have the right to be here, which makes some of her remarks rather intriguing.
She is misinformed about the law when she makes fun of Tom Homan and claims that it is not illegal to be here. He acknowledged that the majority of these individuals had entered unlawfully, which is a felony. He went on to say, “The other thing that she is really eluding is the federal harboring statute, which states that you could also violate it if you are doing anything to hide, protect, or harbor illegal aliens from deportation or encourage illegal aliens or people you have reason to know are illegal aliens to reside in the country illegally.” This is true for many sanctuary cities.
I’m not sure if she’s moved on from that, but it’s definitely coming close to the line. Their primary motivation to cooperate will be the fact that many of these sanctuary communities are not only over the line, but have been for the past five years. Will DoJ adopt an attitude of cooperation or will they take a backward look at their actions? “I believe the majority of them will comply,” Homan added.
His comments follow the congresswoman’s hosting of a webinar in both Spanish and English where Genia Blaser, an attorney with the Immigrant Defense Project, stated that “ICE raids are political tactics, and they’re often intended to create fear.”
There is a lot of worry at the moment. Blaser continued by informing viewers that ICE officials are “often very aggressive, and the encounters can happen really quickly.” “And in fear, it’s really important to have knowledge because knowledge is power,” Blaser continued.
Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez’s website features a pamphlet that informs illegal immigrants of “their rights.”
It stated, “You do not have to open the door” for officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
It also informs them that without a legitimate, judge-signed warrant, ICE officials are not permitted to enter a person’s house. The flyer stated, “You can ask them to slip the warrant under the door.”
In order to prevent deportation, her office also offers free legal assistance to undocumented immigrants.
In an interview with Fox News commentator Laura Ingraham on Thursday, Homan made the suggestion that the congresswoman might face criminal charges for her actions.
Additionally, I emailed the Deputy Attorney General today. What level of obstruction is that? Is that a barrier? I’m not a prosecutor or an attorney. Is that a barrier? Does that make it harder for us to enforce the law? said the border czar.
“What will we do if that’s the case? Is she going too far? In order to determine where they crossed the line, I’m collaborating with the Department of Justice. I need the AOG’s opinion on whether AOC is going to be in trouble now. Because, in my view, an obstacle is an obstacle. We need more direction on that, but I’m not a prosecutor. But once more, we will remove all federal funds from the city if necessary,” Homan continued.