Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will continue operations across Chicago during Halloween weekend, rejecting a request from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to pause enforcement activities.
In an interview on October 30, Noem said her department would not alter its plans in response to the governor’s letter, which requested federal agents to stand down so families could celebrate the holiday peacefully.
Highlights
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rejected Illinois Governor Pritzker’s request to pause ICE operations in Chicago during Halloween weekend.
- Noem promised increased ICE activity to keep neighborhoods safe, targeting criminals allegedly linked to illegal immigration.
- A district court blocked President Trump’s National Guard deployment in Chicago, pending Supreme Court review.
- Pritzker condemned federal tactics at Halloween events, urging peaceful celebrations free from fear and intimidation.
Pritzker had written to Noem, “respectfully requesting” that DHS suspend immigration enforcement “in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship, and other community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place,” over the weekend.
Kristi Noem rejected JB Pritzker's request not to deploy ICE troops during the Halloween weekend
Image credits: Jamie Kelter Davis/Getty Images
“Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood,” Pritzker wrote.
Despite a legal stay on National Guard deployment to Chicago, Noem told Fox News that the administration is not considering pausing DHS activity on Halloween.
“We're gonna be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make sure kids are safe,” she said. “Every day in Chicago, we're arresting murderers, child pedophiles, those who have perpetuated assault and pornography on children.”
“We're gonna be out there to make sure that they can be safe, enjoy the holiday, spend some time with their families and their neighbors and their communities, and they don't have to be the victim of a crime because of these illegal aliens that are in our country victimizing them,” Noem added.
Earlier this week, a district court blocked U.S. President Donald Trump’s military deployment in Chicago for the next few weeks while the Supreme Court decides on Trump’s ability to federalize the state National Guard.
Legally, the Trump administration is not allowed to deploy Guard troops until at least the latter half of November.
Trump also attempted to invoke 10 U.S.C., an archaic statute that allows the president to federalize state Guard troops when the country faces rebellion or is unable to execute laws with “regular forces.”
A district court has blocked Trump from deploying troops in Chicago for the next few weeks
Image credits: Scott Olson/Getty Images
In response, the Supreme Court has asked the Trump administration to answer an additional question about which “regular forces” would be sent to the Democratic-led state.
Trump has been deploying military troops, claiming that crime in Chicago and other Democratic states is out of control.
State governors have denied these allegations, with Illinois and the city of Chicago suing the administration earlier this month over an “unlawful” move to deploy troops.
Pritzker’s request followed public outrage over an incident on October 25, when Border Patrol agents allegedly injured a 76-year-old U.S. citizen during a children’s Halloween parade in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood.
“The agents threatened to break his window if he didn’t move his car. Before he could act, they pulled him out of his car, knelt on his back, and subdued him, though he never resisted. They broke six of his ribs and caused internal bleeding,” DWRunning Club said on an Instagram Story.
Video footage of the encounter circulated online, showing bystanders pleading with officers to ease up. “He's 76 years old. Be easy on him,” one onlooker shouted.
In a statement following the incident, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended the actions, claiming the operation led to the arrest of “a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, who has previously been arrested for assault.”
“During the operations, Border Patrol agents were surrounded and boxed in by a group of agitators. Federal law enforcement issued multiple lawful commands and verbal warnings, all of which were ignored,” McLaughlin told People magazine, adding that two U.S. citizens were arrested for allegedly “assaulting and impeding a federal officer.”
Image credits: Joshua Lott/Getty Images
McLaughlin added that assaults on federal officers have risen “by 1,000%” and defended the agency’s tactics. “Secretary Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
At a press conference at a Gary, Indiana, airport on Thursday, Noem criticized Pritzker’s request.
“The fact that Gov. Pritzker is asking for that is shameful,” she said. “I think, unfortunate, that he doesn't recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure we're bringing criminals to justice and getting them off our streets.”
Pritzker noted news of a disruption from last weekend in his letter to Noem, one where border patrol agents reportedly used teargas to disrupt a Halloween parade.
A 76-year-old U.S. citizen was allegedly injured by ICE during a children's Halloween parade last weekend
Image credits: Beata Zawrzel/Getty Images
“If this happened as reported, it would have been in direct violation of statements and directives from your administration,” Pritzker said.
ABC News reported last Saturday that border patrol agents converged at a children’s Halloween parade in Irving Park, “deploying tear gas and tackling and arresting several people, including U.S. citizens, outside homes decked out in Halloween decorations.”
“Let them [children] enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear,” Pritzker wrote.