Kristi Noem refuses state's request not to use tear gas near children on Halloween
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is ignoring a request from one state official to give trick-or-treating families a break on Halloween.
The Daily Beast reported Thursday that during a Fox News interview, the DHS secretary ignored a plea from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) for the DHS to pause aggressive immigration enforcement actions in Chicago on Friday, when kids in the Windy City will be walking neighborhood streets in celebration of Halloween.
"Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear," Pritzker wrote in a Wednesday letter to Noem. "No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood."
However, Noem told Fox News' Sandra Smith that despite Halloween festivities, ICE would still be "out on the streets in full force, and increase activities to make sure kids are safe."
"We will be out there to make sure that they can be safe, enjoy the holidays, spend some time with their families and their neighbors and communities," she continued. "And then they don’t have to be the victim of a crime because of these illegal aliens that are in our country victimizing them."
Pritzker was likely referring to an incident on Oct. 25, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents fired tear gas canisters into a crowd of children headed to a Halloween event. Earlier this month, ICE agents deployed tear gas in Chicago's Brighton neighborhood, which affected 13 local police officers on the scene.
In response to the tear-gassing incidents, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis forced U.S. Customs and Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino to wear a body camera and give daily reports to the court. She also voiced concerns about ICE agents not identifying themselves to members of the public when asked.
Click here to read the Beast's report in its entirety (subscription required).