Over the weekend, a former federal prosecutor stated that 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, which could land her in legal hot water.
Following repeated warnings from Trump administration border czar Tom Homan last week that AOC might be breaking federal law by impeding ICE officials’ ability to perform their duties, Jonathan Fahey made these comments.
In addition, Homan stated that he is now requesting a legal opinion from the Justice Department over the definition of “impediment,” which may be a criminal.
Fahey was questioned by Fox News host Bryan Llenas in a segment on Friday if Homan “has a point.”
In terms of the overall picture, he does have a point. Fahey started, “You know, when you compare what he is doing, which is trying to get rid of the most serious criminals who are also illegal aliens, and she is fighting tirelessly to keep them in here.”
She’s definitely stepping over the line, in my opinion, on a few points. First, is this a case of justice obstruction? Are these webinars an attempt to retain illegal aliens in the nation, or are they a genuine educational tool? “Well,” Fahey went on. Some of her remarks are particularly intriguing, since she refers to illegal aliens as regular Americans or something, as though they had the right to be here.
When she makes fun of Tom Homan, she is misinformed about the law when she claims that being here illegally is not a crime. “The majority of these individuals entered unlawfully, which is a crime,” he affirmed. “The federal harboring statute, which states that you may also violate it if you do 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, is another thing that she is really eluding,” he continued. “Many sanctuary cities are also in violation of this statute.”
“She’s definitely approaching the line, and I’m not sure if she’s moved on from it. The primary motivation for these sanctuary communities to cooperate will be the fact that many of them are not just over the line, but have been for the past five years. Will the Department of Justice take a backward look at their actions, or will they embrace and work with them? Homan went on, “I believe the majority of them will comply.
“ICE raids are political tactics, and they’re often intended to create fear,” said Genia Blaser, an attorney with the Immigrant Defense Project, during a webinar that the congresswoman sponsored in both Spanish and English.
There is a great deal of worry at this time. And in times of fear, it’s crucial to be informed because information is power,” Blaser continued, adding that ICE officials are “often very aggressive, and the interactions can happen pretty quickly.”
On her website, Ocasio-Cortez also includes a pamphlet that teaches illegal immigrants about “their rights.”
It stated that you are not required to open the door for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Additionally, it informs them that ICE agents lack the authority to enter a person’s house without a proper, judge-signed warrant. The ad stated that you might ask them to conceal the warrant beneath the door.
Additionally, in order to help illegal immigrants avoid deportation, her office offers free legal services.
Speaking to Laura Ingraham of Fox News on Thursday, Homan warned that the representative might face criminal charges for her actions.
Today, I also emailed the Deputy Attorney General. What is the level of that obstacle? Does that pose a problem? I am neither a lawyer nor a prosecutor. Does that pose a problem? Does that hinder our efforts to enforce the law? The czar at the border remarked.
If so, what steps will we take to address it? Does she have gone too far? I’m collaborating with the Department of Justice to see where they crossed the line. It is possible that AOC will now have difficulties, but I need the AOG’s opinion on that. I believe that an obstacle is an obstacle. Although I’m not a prosecutor, we need more direction on that. However, Homan reiterated, “We will remove every federal dollar from the city if necessary.”
