Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited northwest Indiana Thursday. The visit came as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is calling on the DHS director to agree a Halloween truce on ICE activity for the sake of the families and children looking to celebrate this weekend.
Governor Pritzker and advocates for immigrants are frustrated by the continuing ICE activity that they say goes far beyond the stated mission of Operation Midway Blitz to go after the “worst of the worst.” But the Trump administration is brushing off any calls for a holiday pause.
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.”
Governor Pritzker on Thursday decried the operation that did not even consider the families in the area.
“This year the parade was interrupted and then canceled, not because of rain, but because of tear gas,” Pritzker said.
Speaking in Gary, Indiana, Noem rejected Governor Pritzker’s request.
“We’re absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe,” Noem said. “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.”
Secretary Noem accused the governor of failing to recognize the importance of their work in getting dangerous criminals off the street, something she said they will continue to do to protect children.
“So don’t believe it when they tell you that they’re busting the worst of the worst gangs, gang members, they’re attacking peaceful neighborhoods and terrorizing kids in Halloween parades,” Pritzker said.