Former Federal Prosecutor Says AOC ‘Skirting’ Legal Line Providing Advice to Illegal Migrants
A former federal prosecutor recently stated that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and others advising illegal immigrants on how to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are "skirting the line" legally. This could potentially put her in a difficult legal position.
Jonathan Fahey’s comments follow repeated warnings from Trump administration border czar Tom Homan, who suggested last week that ‘AOC’ might be violating federal law by obstructing ICE operations. Homan also mentioned that he is currently seeking a legal opinion from the Justice Department regarding what legally qualifies as an “impediment,” which could constitute a felony offense.
During a Fox News segment on Friday, anchor Bryan Llenas asked Fahey whether Homan “has a point.”
“He does have a point here, just sort of for the big picture here. You know, when you compare what he is doing, which is trying to get rid of most serious criminals that are also illegal aliens, and she is fighting tooth and nail to keep them in here,” Fahey explained.
“But I think where she’s really skirting the line is on a couple of things. One, is this obstruction of justice? Are these webinars designed to truly educate people, or are they a ruse designed to keep illegal aliens in the country?” Fahey continued. “And part of her statements are quite interesting as she talks about illegal aliens as everyday Americans or something as if they have a right to be here.
“When she is mocking Tom Homan, she is incorrect about the law when she says it is not a crime to be here illegally. Most of these people entered illegally, and that is in fact a crime,” he affirmed. “The other thing that she is really skirting the line on, as are many sanctuary cities, is the federal harboring statute. If you are doing anything to conceal, shield, or harbor illegal aliens from deportation or encouraging illegal aliens or people you have reason to know are illegal aliens to remain in the country illegally, you could be in violation of that as well.
“Certainly getting very close to the line, I don’t know that she’s gotten over it. Many of these sanctuary cities not only are over the line but have been over the line for the last five years, so that’s going to be their main incentive to cooperate,” he added. “Is DoJ going to look retrospectively at what they have been doing, or are they going to get on board and cooperate? I think most of them will cooperate.”
His remarks followed a webinar hosted by Ocasio-Cortez in both English and Spanish, where Immigrant Defense Project attorney Genia Blaser stated, “ICE raids are political tactics, and they’re often intended to create fear.”
“This is a time where there is a lot of fear. And in fear, it’s really important to have knowledge because knowledge is power,” Blaser continued, also cautioning that ICE agents are “often very aggressive, and the encounters can happen really quickly.”
Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez has posted a flyer on her website outlining “their rights” for illegal immigrants.
“You do not have to open the door” for Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, it stated.
The flyer also informs them that ICE agents cannot enter a home without a valid warrant signed by a judge. “You can ask them to slip the warrant under the door,” it added.
Her office is also offering free legal services to illegal immigrants to help them avoid deportation.
On Thursday, Homan spoke with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, suggesting that the congresswoman’s actions could potentially lead to legal consequences.
“And I sent an email today to the Deputy Attorney General. At what level is that impediment? Is that impediment? I’m not an attorney, I’m not a prosecutor. Is that impediment? Is that impeding our law enforcement efforts?” Homan questioned.
“If so, what are we going to do about it? Is she crossing the line? So I’m working with the Department of Justice and finding out where is that line that they crossed. So maybe AOC is going to be in trouble now, but I need the AOG to opine on that. Because impediment is impediment in my opinion. I’m not a prosecutor, but we need some further guidance on that. But again, if we have to take every federal dollar out of the city, we’ll do it,” Homan concluded.