07-05-2025
In Illinois, Noem blasts state's sanctuary laws, prompting sarcastic response from Pritzker
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — During a visit Wednesday at the Illinois Capitol, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blasted the state's sanctuary laws aimed at hindering federal immigration efforts, prompting a sarcastic response from Gov. JB Pritzker.
At a press conference, Noem called Illinois's sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants a safety concern, claiming Illinois doesn't protect its citizens.
'This governor has bragged about Illinois being a firewall against President Trump's immigration enforcement agenda, and it's very clear he's violating the Constitution of the United States because it is a federal law that the federal government and the president set to enforce immigration policy,' she said at a press conference.
Illinois prevents local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) by way of the TRUST Act, the Way Forward Act, the Welcoming City Act, and a Cook County ordinance.
'I'm calling on Gov. Pritzker and all the other leaders of this state to abandon their dangerous sanctuary policies,' she added. 'I'm thankful for all the state leaders that are standing behind me who agree as well. They have been fighting an uphill battle with this governor, and I'm proud of them that they're standing here with us today and with these angel families, and saying enough is enough. We have to change as a state.'
The night prior, Pritzker's office issued statement to the media, saying, 'Despite the Trump Administration being in office for more than 100 days and falsely accusing Illinois of not following federal and state law, Secretary Noem and her team does not communicate with the State of Illinois and has not asked for support or coordination to enforce immigration laws.'
'We would urge all pet owners in the region to make sure all of your beloved animals are under watchful protection while the Secretary is in the region,' Pritzker's office wrote, apparently a reference to a anecdote in her book, 'No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward,' about killing a dog decades prior.
On Wednesday, following Noem's press conference, Pritzker's office issued a press release in both English and Spanish, saying, 'Unlike Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the law. The Trump Administration is violating the United States Constitution, denying people due process, and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – including children who are U.S. citizens. Yet, they are taking no real action to promote public safety and deport violent criminals within the clear and defined legal process.'
Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) weighed in on Noem's visit, saying, 'A visit by the Homeland Security Secretary sends a pretty strong message to the Pritzker Administration. The federal government is shining a national light on what many Illinoisans already know. Gov. JB Pritzker's sanctuary state policies are reckless, dangerous, and putting lives at risk. He has repeatedly proclaimed Illinois as the 'most welcoming state in the nation,' but has little to say about what it's costing taxpayers or how many violent offenders have slipped through the cracks as a result.'
Meanwhile, Noem's visit to Springfield arrived on the same day that REAL ID requirements began at U.S. airports.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a statement criticizing Noem's messaging on the subject, saying, 'For months, Secretary Noem has been calling the May 7 date a 'deadline,' implying that Americans must have a 'REAL ID' or they cannot board any U.S.-based flights without a valid passport, which has sent people scrambling to get one ahead of [Wednesday],' Giannoulias said. 'For the past several months, this has resulted in long lines, frustration and – in many cases – pure panic among residents.'
'Instead of flying across the country to perform campaign-style political stunts designed to traumatize people and promote herself, she should do her damn job,' Giannoulias said.
Pritzker has agreed to testify before a Congressional committee in defense of the state's sanctuary laws on June 12th, alongside Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and New York Mayor Kathy Hochul.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Illinois, alleging the state and the city of Chicago interfere with federal immigration enforcement by violating the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
'Illinois state and local officers do not honor ICE detainers, including by allowing ICE access to aliens in their facilities – even in otherwise public areas of those facilities – for the purpose of safely transferring aliens into federal custody,' the statement reads.
'While ICE is undertaking re-apprehension efforts, the alien remains at-large in the community and free to commit further crimes or otherwise threaten public safety,' the DOJ said.
President Donald Trump said his administration was taking efforts to withhold federal funding from cities and states with policies that limit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities on some immigration matters.
Pritzker has said that violent noncitizens 'should be imprisoned and, or if they're illegal, undocumented in this country and they are committing violent crimes they should be deported and turned over to authorities in their countries.'
'We should be protecting residents of the state of Illinois, even if they're undocumented residents, and providing a path to citizenship,' Pritzker added.
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