Former ICE Chief Demands DOJ Probe of AOC's Immigration Rights Webinar

Paul Riverbank, 2/18/2025Former ICE chief demands investigation of AOC's immigration rights webinar, claiming it obstructs enforcement.

The controversy centers on a virtual session titled "Know Your Rights in case of ICE" hosted by Ocasio-Cortez's office — though the congresswoman herself did not appear. The webinar provided guidance to immigrants about their constitutional rights during ICE encounters, including advice about warrant requirements and door interactions.

Homan, speaking to Fox News, expressed serious concerns about the nature of this outreach. "What I find disturbing is that any member of Congress wants to educate people on how they evade law enforcement," he said, pointing to what he views as a troubling precedent.

The former ICE director's main contention lies in the specific guidance provided during the webinar. While Ocasio-Cortez's office framed the session as constitutional education, Homan argues it crossed a line into potential obstruction. "You can claim you're educating those constitutional rights, okay, you can keep that claim, okay. But what she is in fact doing is telling people 'Don't open the door, hide in your home, don't talk to ICE,'" he explained.

The dispute has sparked a broader debate about the boundaries between constitutional rights education and law enforcement obstruction — a line that Homan wants the DOJ to clarify. "I've asked DOJ, where is that line of impediment, where is that line of interference?" he noted in his Fox News appearance.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, known for her progressive stance on immigration issues, responded to Homan's allegations with characteristic defiance. "MaYbe shE's goiNg to be in TroUble nOw," she posted on X, mocking his comments and defending her office's actions as legitimate constitutional education.

The core of the dispute touches on a fundamental tension in immigration enforcement. While ICE officials argue they're targeting individuals who "are in the country illegally, committed a crime... and have been ordered removed by a federal judge," immigrant advocates maintain that even undocumented residents have constitutional protections that should be understood and respected.

The webinar included specific guidance such as "ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge. Tell the agents to show you the warrant by sliding it under the door" — advice that Homan argues could impede legitimate law enforcement efforts.

While Homan has stopped short of directly accusing Ocasio-Cortez of breaking the law, saying he'll "leave that up to the DOJ," his request for investigation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement tactics and constitutional rights.

The controversy reflects deeper divisions in American politics regarding immigration policy, law enforcement authority and civil rights — a debate that shows no signs of resolution as both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions.

In a developing story that highlights the growing tensions between immigration enforcement officials and progressive lawmakers, former ICE Director and border czar Tom Homan has escalated his criticism of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by seeking Department of Justice review of her recent immigration rights webinar.The controversy centers on a virtual session titled "Know Your Rights in case of ICE" hosted by Ocasio-Cortez's office — though the congresswoman herself did not appear. The webinar provided guidance to immigrants about their constitutional rights during ICE encounters, including advice about warrant requirements and door interactions.Homan, speaking to Fox News, expressed serious concerns about the nature of this outreach. "What I find disturbing is that any member of Congress wants to educate people on how they evade law enforcement," he said, pointing to what he views as a troubling precedent.The former ICE director's main contention lies in the specific guidance provided during the webinar. While Ocasio-Cortez's office framed the session as constitutional education, Homan argues it crossed a line into potential obstruction. "You can claim you're educating those constitutional rights, okay, you can keep that claim, okay. But what she is in fact doing is telling people 'Don't open the door, hide in your home, don't talk to ICE,'" he explained.The dispute has sparked a broader debate about the boundaries between constitutional rights education and law enforcement obstruction — a line that Homan wants the DOJ to clarify. "I've asked DOJ, where is that line of impediment, where is that line of interference?" he noted in his Fox News appearance.Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, known for her progressive stance on immigration issues, responded to Homan's allegations with characteristic defiance. "MaYbe shE's goiNg to be in TroUble nOw," she posted on X, mocking his comments and defending her office's actions as legitimate constitutional education.The core of the dispute touches on a fundamental tension in immigration enforcement. While ICE officials argue they're targeting individuals who "are in the country illegally, committed a crime... and have been ordered removed by a federal judge," immigrant advocates maintain that even undocumented residents have constitutional protections that should be understood and respected.The webinar included specific guidance such as "ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge. Tell the agents to show you the warrant by sliding it under the door" — advice that Homan argues could impede legitimate law enforcement efforts.While Homan has stopped short of directly accusing Ocasio-Cortez of breaking the law, saying he'll "leave that up to the DOJ," his request for investigation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement tactics and constitutional rights.The controversy reflects deeper divisions in American politics regarding immigration policy, law enforcement authority and civil rights — a debate that shows no signs of resolution as both sides remain firmly entrenched in their positions.