CHICAGO (WLS) — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited northwest Indiana Thursday, as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker calls on DHS to pause immigration arrests over Halloween weekend.
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On Wednesday night, Pritzker sent a letter to Noem, requesting a pause in ICE enforcement this weekend in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks and places of worship, so children can safely celebrate Halloween.
The governor referenced an incident in his letter this past weekend in Old Irving Park – in which he says, federal agents reportedly interrupted a children’s Halloween parade and deployed tear gas without warning on residents peacefully celebrating the holiday.
“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,” Governor Pritzker wrote. “Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear.”
Speaking in Gary, Indiana, Noem rejected Governor Pritzker’s request.
“The fact that Governor 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 that we are bringing criminals to justice and bringing them off our streets,” Noem said.
In response to Governor Pritzker, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: said in a statement, “Once again Governor Pritzker is going out of his way to smear the law enforcement officers of DHS, who are attempting to clean up the rampant crime he facilitated
“He is pushing a false narrative that DHS is targeting schools, hospitals, and churches. This is false, he knows this, but he continues to push these lies.
“Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons, violence and only use crowd control methods as a last resort when repeated warnings have been given.
“Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear. Elected officials choosing to fearmonger by distorting reality are doing a great disservice to our country and are responsible for the nearly 1,000% increase in assaults and 8,000% increase in violent threats against ICE officers.”
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in Gary, Noem spoke about immigrants in the United States illegally getting commercial driver’s licenses.
“Putting these foreigners in tractor trailers like the ones you see behind me becomes extremely dangerous,” Noem said. “Putting them behind the wheel of these tractor trailers weighing tens of thousands of pounds loaded with explosive fuel down the highway endangers every single citizens that is on our roads.”
Noem gave update on recent immigration enforcement dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz,” which Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino called “wildly successful” in an interview with ABC News earlier this week.
Noem was joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun in Gary along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons, among others.
SEE ALSO: Court pauses order requiring CBP Chief Bovino to meet with judge daily on immigration operations
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Noem’s visit has been met with some criticism, though, from other local northwest Indiana leaders.
Gary’s Mayor Eddie Melton said his office was not involved with planning the event and is not participating.
Hammond’s Mayor Thomas McDermott also posted on Facebook, criticizing how the press conference was announced.
Some protesters gathered in Gary to demonstrate against Noem’s presence.
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Stephanie Wade
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