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CHICAGO (TNND) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday said he believes “violent criminals” living in the U.S. illegally should be deported, but pushed back against incoming border czar Tom Homan’s threats of mass deportations.
The remarks came during a press conference, with the governor reacting to Homan’s statement made in Chicago Tuesday. While speaking in the sanctuary city, Homan called on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is vocally opposed to the incoming border czar’s plans, to get out of his way.
“If your Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside,” Homan said. “But if he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors an illegal alien, I will prosecute him.”
Gov. Pritzker, a Democrat, vowed to follow his state’s immigration laws and questioned whether Homan has the legal authority to fulfill his promises.
“We have laws that protect undocumented immigrants, and I’m going to make sure to follow the law,” the governor said. “I’m concerned that the Trump administration and his lackeys aren’t going to follow the law, but I will.”
The Prairie State governor added, however, he is in alignment with Homan over threats noncitizens convicted of “violent” crimes pose to his state and the nation. These individuals, he said, do not belong in the country and should be deported.
Violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported,” he said. “I do not want them in my state. I do not think they should be in the United States.”
Gov. Pritzker said he would be open to a meeting with Homan and the incoming Trump administration to discuss the plans. The stance contrasts with the governor previously vowing to oppose any deportation raids enforced by Trump.
He and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis had made the comment while speaking on MSNBC last month about the creation of an alliance of blue state leaders called “Governors Safeguarding Democracy.”
“We also just want to make sure there isn’t a violation of people’s rights with … raids … that are done in coordination [with] local law enforcement,” Gov. Pritzker said during that appearance. “We think that’s improper and in Illinois, that’s not something that we would condone.”
Talk of deploying red state National Guard troops to carry out such raids, Gov. Pritzker added, is “just not something we’re going to accept.”
Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Homan are set to meet Thursday, according to several reports. Mayor Adams dared his supporters last week to “cancel” him for agreeing to the meeting.
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