(The Center Square) – A visit to Springfield Wednesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sparking debate over Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies.
Noem flew into Springfield’s airport and then went to a Springfield DHS processing center to talk with federal agents and two non-citizens being processed.
The motorcade then stopped in a residential area of Springfield near downtown, where she stood with family of Illinoisans who lost lives allegedly at the hands of illegal immigrants or by fentanyl overdose. Noem urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to cooperate with federal officials.
“Gov. Pritzker, change your ways. Protect your people. Help us clean up our streets and help us stop this violent, illegal alien criminal activity that is happening in your state,” she said.
Noem’s news conference took place near the home of Emma Shafer, who was murdered allegedly by her non-citizen boyfriend who remains on the run.
“Just a couple of houses away from here, Emma Shafer was brutally stabbed and murdered by an illegal immigrant who was released into the United States by the Biden administration,” she said.
Protesters then arrived at the location, some saying Shafer’s family doesn’t support Noem.
Across town at the state capitol, Democrats and immigrant advocates gathered. Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said Noem didn’t stay long.
“Instead of doing their job, they are dividing our country and yet here we are gathered in unity. We stand together, working, dreaming, voting, winning,” Harmon said.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, joined the rally.
“The dystopian vision of Illinois that Secretary Noem outlined today bore no resemblance to the communities we represent here today,” Welch said.
Illinois Republicans say the state should amend the law that prohibits state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials in enforcing civil detention orders. They also say Illinois’ sanctuary laws harm public safety and drain Illinois tax dollars for non-citizen health care subsidies and more.
