CHICAGO — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday flatly rejected a request by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to suspend immigration enforcements in the Chicago area until after Halloween.
Pritzker cited children’s safety and an incident from Saturday in which Customs and Border Protection agents deployed tear gas in a neighborhood where kids were preparing for a Halloween parade.
In turning down the request, Noem also cited children’s safety.
“We’re absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe,” Noem said at a news conference in Gary, Indiana, on Thursday. “The fact that Gov. Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and, 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, especially when we’re going to send all of our kiddos out on the streets and going to events and enjoying the holiday season.”
Noem made the comments amid a firestorm of controversy in the Chicago area, as a spasm of immigration enforcement operations devolved into chaotic confrontations with residents and activists in which immigration officers deployed chemical agents. In a widely reported event over the weekend, they used tear gas in the Old Irving Park neighborhood, just as kids and families were gathering for a Halloween parade.
Pritzker appeared to reference the incident in his letter to Noem.
“I am respectfully requesting you suspend enforcement operations from Friday, October 31 to Sunday, November 2 in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship, and other community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place. Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear,” Pritzker wrote in a letter sent to Noem. “No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood.”
A federal judge earlier this week cited the incident in Old Irving Park as she admonished Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino that his agents must abide by a court order dictating that chemical agents were not to be used without warnings in public settings where they are not under imminent threat. Residents say immigration agents contending with neighbors upset over their activity used aggressive tactics including deploying tear gas — which the judge pointed to as the kind of activity she sought to curb in residential areas.
Government attorneys said they didn’t want to hamstring agents who had to contend with sometimes threatening crowds. Noem said Thursday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have increasingly been threatened.
“What we’ve seen in attacks on ICE officers is unacceptable,” Noem said. “I’ll remind you, every single ICE officer has someone who loves them.”
Before the end of Tuesday’s hearing, the judge pleaded with the government to tamp down activities over Halloween.
“The last thing that I will say is Halloween is on Friday. I do not, do not