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Battle brewing over deportation threats in Chicago
Gov. JB Pritzker responds to the Trump administration's threat to mass deportation in Chicago.
CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he doesn't think incoming border czar Tom Homan has the authority to do what he has warned about — deporting millions of undocumented immigrants, including tens of thousands in Chicago and Illinois.
Pritzker responded to Homan's incendiary comments made in Chicago earlier this week, where Homan warned officials like Pritzker to help out or get out of the way.
"We have laws that protect undocumented immigrants, and we're going to follow the law. I'm concerned that the Trump administration and his lackeys aren't," Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference.
Pritzker said any attempts to deport legal residents, like green card holders or asylum seekers, would run afoul of federal law as well.
He said he is in agreement with Homan in one respect.
"Violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported," he said. "I do not want them in my state, I don't think they should be in the United States."
Homan made his comments at a Northwest Side GOP gathering Monday evening, offering this threat to public officials like Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
"If your Chicago mayor doesn't want to help, he can step aside," Homan said. "But if he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors an illegal alien, I will prosecute him."
Trump pick for border czar slams Chicago leadership: 'Your mayor sucks and your governor sucks'
President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar pick, Tom Homan, outlined his deportation plans in Chicago, emphasizing strict enforcement and criticizing Illinois leaders.
Illinois Republicans, however, say Pritzker should work with Homan and the state should repeal sanctuary laws that prohibit local law enforcement from helping federal immigration officials.
'It's the federal government that's charged with securing our borders and making sure we're safe as a nation and I think state and local law enforcement should work with them to that end," said State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, a Republican from downstate Jacksonville.
Prizker said he would welcome a meeting with Homan or the Trump administration, but so far nobody has reached out.