Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has publicly criticized several prominent Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for providing resources he alleges assist undocumented immigrants in defying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Mullin's remarks came after President Donald Trump ordered ICE to resume vehicle stops following a brief pause.
Mullin stated that the Department of Homeland Security's primary objective is officer safety and removing criminals from the streets, citing a reported increase of over 1,300 percent in vehicle attacks against ICE officers. He attributed this situation, in part, to "reckless illegal alien activity" following what he described as sanctuary politicians hosting webinars and sharing resources on how to "openly defy" ICE.
Among those targeted by Mullin was Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who Mullin alleged hosted a webinar offering tips for undocumented immigrants to evade arrest. Ocasio-Cortez's office previously hosted a "Know Your Rights With ICE" webinar, which provided information on how to interact with ICE if officers visit homes or workplaces. While Ocasio-Cortez did not participate in the webinar, she shared related tips via Instagram, encouraging followers to print and distribute posters regarding their rights. She stated that individuals can "defend your community and our constitution by exercising your rights" and that ICE "cannot come after us all."
Mullin also accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of releasing guides and sanctuary laws that advise undocumented immigrants on recognizing ICE, blocking entry, and defying arrest. Since Trump's return to office, Newsom has signed legislation expanding California's sanctuary policies, including funding for immigrant legal defense and measures restricting immigration enforcement in certain public spaces. Newsom's office also published "Know Your Rights" materials in multiple languages, advising immigrants on how to respond to ICE encounters, emphasizing not to assault federal agents but to document their activity. A spokesperson for Newsom's office responded that such materials are necessary due to a lack of training from the Trump administration on citizens' constitutional rights and urged the administration to train its agents and "stop the deaths."
Mullin also called out Rep. Dan Goldman for a video advising undocumented immigrants on making plans for ICE encounters, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for issuing multilingual flyers on evading arrest. Mullin reiterated that undocumented immigrants attempting to evade arrest is dangerous and that "illegal aliens will be arrested and deported wherever they are."
President Trump had previously ordered a temporary pause on ICE vehicle stops, a decision he later reversed, stating that halting such stops would aid criminals and undermine a key crime-fighting tool. He emphasized that ICE should be "judicious, fair and smart" in its operations. The DHS had issued a notice to agents nationwide to cease vehicle stops until further notice following two officer-involved shootings in Maine and Texas.