By Illinois Review
On Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield to meet with families who lost loved ones to crimes committed by undocumented immigrants – cases she linked to Illinois’ sanctuary state policies – as President Donald Trump intensifies his focus on Gov. JB Pritzker.
“Since 2017, Illinois has been a sanctuary state and the results have been absolutely disastrous for people who live here,” Noem said during a press conference surrounded by state Republican legislators and victims’ families.
“In 2020, Gov. Pritzker expanded access to taxpayer-funded free health care for illegal aliens. It has cost the citizens of Illinois $1.6 billion,” the Homeland Security chief said. “He has been incentivizing illegals to come here and to live in this state.”
During her brief visit, Secretary Noem also deported two illegal immigrants residing in Illinois.
The Democratic governor is considering a run for president in 2028, and he remains one of the country’s leading critics of the current administration.
During a recent trip to New Hampshire, Gov. Pritzker delivered a shocking speech where he called for violence against the Trump agenda, saying “It’s time to fight, everywhere, all at once.”
But the presidential hopeful crossed a line when he specifically called for sustained violence, telling the crowd,
“Republicans cannot know a moment of peace.”
He also attacked the Trump administration repeatedly during his speech for deporting illegal immigrants.
“It’s wrong to snatch a person off the street and ship them to a foreign gulag with no chance to defend themselves in a court of law.”
The Homeland Security chief kept the pressure on Pritzker during her appearance, and her speech could trigger additional Justice Department investigations in Illinois.
“This governor has bragged about Illinois being a firewall against President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, and it is very clear that he is violating the Constitution of the United States because it is a federal law.”
A small group of protestors gathered outside the governor’s mansion to express their support for Pritzker.
