AOC Clashes with Border Czar After Advising Undocumented Immigrants on How to Avoid Arrest

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has once again ignited debate over immigration policy after hosting a webinar aimed at educating undocumented immigrants about their rights when dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The session, which took place on February 13, 2025, focused on legal strategies to resist what organizers described as unlawful searches and seizures by immigration authorities.

While supporters hailed the initiative as essential rights education, critics—including Border Czar Tom Homan—questioned whether the guidance obstructs law enforcement efforts.

Inside AOC’s Controversial Webinar

The webinar, organized by Ocasio-Cortez’s office in collaboration with the Immigrant Defense Project, aimed to equip undocumented individuals with knowledge of their constitutional rights. The event featured legal experts who provided guidance on what actions immigrants can take if confronted by ICE officers at their homes, workplaces, or in public.

Key topics covered in the session included:

• Refusing Entry Without a Judicial Warrant: Speakers emphasized that ICE agents cannot legally enter a residence without a judicial warrant, and that many warrants presented by ICE are administrative and lack judicial approval.
• Exercising the Right to Remain Silent: Attendees were advised not to answer questions from immigration officers and to request legal representation before speaking.
• Understanding ICE Tactics: Legal experts discussed common enforcement strategies, such as early-morning raids and unmarked vehicles, warning that ICE often uses deceptive practices to gain compliance.

Following the webinar, Ocasio-Cortez shared a “Know Your Rights” guide on social media, reinforcing the information provided and urging undocumented individuals to stay informed.

Ocasio-Cortez Defends the Initiative

In a follow-up statement, Ocasio-Cortez defended her decision to host the event, arguing that every person in the United States—regardless of immigration status—is entitled to constitutional protections.

“The Constitution applies to everyone on U.S. soil, including undocumented immigrants,” Ocasio-Cortez stated. “Educating people about their rights is not obstruction—it’s ensuring that due process is upheld.”

She also criticized ICE’s tactics, calling them “aggressive and often unlawful.” The congresswoman has long been a vocal opponent of the agency, previously calling for its abolition and arguing that its enforcement methods violate civil liberties.

Border Czar Tom Homan Calls for DOJ Review

The webinar has not gone unnoticed by federal authorities. Former acting ICE director and current Border Czar Tom Homan expressed strong concerns about the guidance provided during the session.

“I’m in communication with the Department of Justice to explore whether this kind of guidance constitutes an impediment to law enforcement,” Homan said in an interview. “We cannot have members of Congress instructing individuals on how to evade lawful enforcement actions.”

Homan, who has frequently clashed with Ocasio-Cortez over immigration policy, has defended ICE’s operations as essential to national security. He argues that educating undocumented individuals on how to resist enforcement efforts could lead to increased noncompliance and hinder efforts to remove individuals with criminal backgrounds.

"MaYbe shE's goiNg to be in TroUble nOw"

Maybe he can learn to read. The Constitution would be a good place to start https://t.co/vQ69UDyQnT

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 14, 2025

The Broader Debate: Rights Education or Obstruction?

Ocasio-Cortez’s initiative has reignited a longstanding debate over the role of public officials in immigration enforcement. While some argue that educating undocumented immigrants about their rights is a necessary protection against overreach, others claim that such efforts enable individuals to evade law enforcement.

• Supporters’ Perspective: Immigrant rights groups argue that knowing one’s rights is fundamental, particularly given past reports of ICE agents allegedly conducting warrantless searches or detaining individuals without due process. They see the webinar as a necessary step to protect vulnerable communities.
• Critics’ Perspective: Opponents believe that such guidance undermines ICE’s ability to enforce immigration law and could embolden undocumented individuals to resist lawful detention. Some have called for legislative action to prevent government officials from advising undocumented immigrants on how to avoid apprehension.

What Happens Next?

As the Department of Justice reviews Homan’s concerns, Ocasio-Cortez is unlikely to back down from her stance on immigration rights. Her office has signaled that more educational sessions may be planned in the future, despite pushback from conservative lawmakers.

With immigration set to remain a major political issue in the upcoming election cycle, the controversy surrounding this webinar could shape broader debates on enforcement policies, civil liberties, and the rights of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

For now, the tension between advocacy and law enforcement continues to fuel one of the nation’s most polarizing discussions.