NEW YORK, NY – In mid-February 2025, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s office hosted a ‘Know Your Rights’ webinar aimed at informing constituents about their constitutional rights when interacting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The webinar provided guidance on how individuals could exercise their legal rights during encounters with ICE agents.
Following the webinar, Tom Homan, serving as the U.S. Border Czar under the Trump administration, publicly criticized the event. He expressed concerns that the information shared might impede law enforcement efforts by advising individuals on how to evade ICE operations. Homan indicated that he had contacted the Department of Justice (DOJ) to inquire whether such actions could be considered obstruction of justice, suggesting that Ocasio-Cortez might face legal repercussions.
In response, Representative Ocasio-Cortez sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking clarification on whether the DOJ had initiated an investigation into her actions based on Homan’s request. She emphasized that educating the public about their constitutional rights is a fundamental duty of elected officials and expressed concern over potential political intimidation. Ocasio-Cortez underscored the importance of upholding First Amendment rights and requested transparency regarding any investigations stemming from her webinar.
As of now, the DOJ has not publicly responded to either Homan’s inquiry or Ocasio-Cortez’s letter. The situation highlights ongoing debates surrounding immigration enforcement, the role of public officials in educating constituents, and the boundaries of lawful conduct in such educational efforts.
