Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s office hosted a webinar on Wednesday explaining the tactics Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities have been using in New York to arrest illegal immigrants in an apparent effort to help them avoid deportation.
The “Squad” congresswoman did not attend the webinar, which aired on her office’s Facebook page, but on Thursday shared a “Know Your Rights” guide instructing migrants not to open their doors to ICE agents unless they have a warrant.
“ICE raids are political tactics, and they’re often intended to create fear,” Genia Blaser, a lawyer with the Immigrant Defense Project, claimed during the presentation streamed by the Bronx-Queens rep’s office.
“We see how ICE often uses rhetoric to criminalize immigrants, to normalize their tactics and justify what they’re doing,” she added, describing encounters between migrants and ICE as “often very aggressive.”
Blaser informed viewers recent ICE raids in the Empire State have taken place “early in the morning” and in “public places,” and have often involved unmarked ICE vehicles stopping cars as people drive to and from work.
She also noted that ICE arrests have taken place during required check-ins with federal immigration authorities and – outside of New York City – during probation or parole appointments and when migrants are being transferred from police custody.
“Believe it or not, in America EVERYONE has rights,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Thursday, sharing a guide, in English and Spanish, on how illegal immigrants can potentially avoid being deported.
“Do Not Open Your Door,” reads one of the tips in the “AOC”-branded “Know Your Rights in Case of ICE” guide.
“ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge,” the guide states.
During the webinar, another speaker with the Immigrant Defense Project identified as Laura, told viewers that her group has “very, very, rarely” seen cases in New York where ICE agents have obtained judicial warrants.
“But they often use ruses or intimidation to try to trick people into doing or saying things that they can interpret as consent to enter [a private space],” she alleged.
AOC’s guide goes on to tell migrants to ask ICE agents “to leave” if they don’t produce a warrant and to “remain silent” if questioned.
“Citizen or not, we all should know our rights to protect ourselves and others from illegal search & seizure,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X.
“If you’re pissed that I’m educating the people of this country of their Constitutional rights, that’s on you,” the congresswoman continued. “And yes, immigrants have rights too. This is the LAND of the free.”
ICE did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
