AOC Could Face Arrest If She Interferes With ICE Operations, DHS Official Warns

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) could face arrest if she follows through on a recent statement criticizing federal immigration enforcement efforts, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said during an appearance on Fox News Monday that the New York Congresswoman—often associated with the progressive “Squad”—could be detained if she attempts to obstruct federal immigration agents the way some other Democrats have recently done.

“If she trespasses or assaults law enforcement officers—as we’ve seen from others—that’s certainly a possibility,” McLaughlin said on The Bottom Line. “We’ve heard some Democrats claim they’re just exercising congressional oversight, but that doesn’t excuse unlawful behavior.”

Ocasio-Cortez had posted a video selfie on Instagram on Sunday, reacting to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a fellow Democrat. Baraka was taken into custody after a tense exchange with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside a detention facility, where he was reportedly denied entry.

U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, confirmed Baraka was arrested for trespassing after refusing to comply with several warnings from Homeland Security Investigations officers. DHS later described the situation as chaotic, saying Baraka had joined protesters who tried to force their way into the facility, leading to a physical confrontation with law enforcement.

Also present during the incident were several Democratic lawmakers from New Jersey, including Reps. Rob Menendez Jr., Bonnie Watson Coleman, and LaMonica McIver.

DHS Pushes Back on AOC’s Accusations, Calls Incident ‘Political Gamesmanship’

Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin pushed back on claims from Democratic lawmakers, saying they never followed the proper procedures for visiting the immigration detention center.

“We know that’s baloney,” McLaughlin told Fox News’ David Asman. “If they had asked for a tour, we would’ve gladly arranged one. There are public guidelines for visits, including giving us 24 hours’ notice. This is just political theater, and we won’t risk the safety of our law enforcement officers over it.”

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman later said the lawmakers were simply carrying out their oversight duties and were eventually allowed inside. However, in her Instagram video, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued a warning, saying there would be consequences if ICE or DHS agents physically confronted any of the Democratic representatives.

“You lay a finger on Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman or any of the representatives that were there, and we’re going to have a problem,” AOC said, according to the Daily Caller.

The day after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest, ICE released bodycam footage of the incident, showing the heated exchange. In a follow-up statement, the agency accused Rep. LaMonica McIver of assaulting an ICE agent during the confrontation.

McLaughlin also defended the decision to house certain undocumented immigrants at the Delaney Hall facility. She noted that the individuals being held there are either convicted or suspected of serious crimes, including rape, child exploitation, MS-13 gang activity, and even terrorism.