Noem Slams Illinois Sanctuary Policies, Highlights $1.6B Cost and Faces Senate Over Abrego Garcia Supreme Court Ruling

27 posts • GPT (4.1)

Updated May 9, 2025, 08:13 PM

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield, Illinois, to criticize the state's sanctuary policies, arguing they shield undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement. At a press conference, Noem was joined by 'angel families'—relatives of people killed by undocumented immigrants—and cited cases such as the deaths of Emma Shafer and Katie Abraham, both allegedly killed by individuals who were in the country illegally. Emma Shafer's family released a statement opposing Noem's comments. Noem accused Illinois Governor JB Pritzker of prioritizing undocumented immigrants over American citizens and claimed Illinois' sanctuary policies, in place since 2017, have cost the state $1.6 billion. She also highlighted the reopening of the VOICE office to support victims of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. Katie Abraham's killer was identified as Julio Cucul-Bol, a previously deported Guatemalan national. Governor Pritzker responded by defending Illinois' approach, stating that the state's Trust Act—signed by a Republican predecessor—limits local law enforcement's role in federal immigration enforcement to allow police to focus on violent crime. Pritzker emphasized support for removing violent criminals but called for comprehensive immigration reform and criticized Noem's visit as a publicity stunt. He accused Noem of violating the Constitution. During her visit, Noem participated in a photo opportunity as two Guatemalan men from the Edgewood Mobile Home Park were fingerprinted for deportation, though details of their cases remain unclear. The families of those detained have expressed distress over the situation. Noem also addressed the Coast Guard's $21 billion underfunding and the DHS's $175 billion budget request, citing the need for increased resources at the border. Customs and Border Protection reported 11,000 border crossings in March. Separately, Noem faced scrutiny in the Senate over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national. Democratic senators, including Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen, pressed Noem on why the Trump administration had not complied with a 9-0 Supreme Court and federal court orders to facilitate Garcia's return after an administrative error led to his removal. Noem insisted that the administration was complying with all court orders and labeled Garcia a terrorist, citing alleged MS-13 affiliations, though his attorneys and family deny gang involvement and note a lack of criminal record. Garcia had previously obtained a withholding of removal in 2019 and was recently transferred to a lower security facility in El Salvador. The legal dispute over Garcia's deportation continues, with the administration invoking the Alien Enemies Act to justify removals and the courts ordering further review. The case remains unresolved as of the latest hearings.

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Sources

washingtontimes.com(4)washingtonexaminer.com(3)chicago.suntimes.com(2)cbsnews.com(2)

Bo Snerdley

@BoSnerdley

Noem says Abrego Garcia will ‘never return’ as Democrats grill DHS secretary at budget hearing https://t.co/DwU1qj681M via @@YahooNews

Fox News

@FoxNews

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claps back at Dem Sen. Chris Van Hollen after he advocated for the return of an alleged MS-13 gang member. https://t.co/3LTlIDe5Ee