WASHINGTON D.C. — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has received some brutal news. A former federal prosecutor has warned that the Congresswoman’s latest efforts to shield illegal immigrants from law enforcement are “skirting the line” legally and could potentially expose her to charges of obstruction of justice or harboring criminals.
The warning comes as Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s reinstated “border czar,” intensifies his crackdown on sanctuary policies. Homan has explicitly stated he is seeking a legal opinion from the Justice Department regarding what actions constitute an “impediment” to federal officers—a felony offense.
During an appearance on Fox News, former federal prosecutor Fahey weighed in on whether Homan’s threats against Ocasio-Cortez hold water. His assessment was stark.
“In a way, he does have a point here,” Fahey told host Bryan Llenas. “You know, when you compare what he is doing—trying to get rid of the worst criminals… with what she is doing—fighting tooth and nail to keep them here.”
Fahey warned that Ocasio-Cortez is playing a dangerous game. “I believe she’s straddling a few lines when it comes to a few things. One, is this getting in the way of the law? Are these webinars really meant to teach people, or are they just a trick to keep illegal immigrants in the country?”
He pointed to the federal harboring statute, which criminalizes actions taken to prevent illegal immigrants from being deported or encouraging them to stay. “You could be breaking that law as well,” Fahey noted. “That’s getting pretty close to the line, and I don’t think she’s over it yet.”
At the center of the controversy is a series of webinars and flyers distributed by Ocasio-Cortez’s office. In a recent English and Spanish session, Genia Blaser, an attorney for the Immigrant Defense Project, claimed that “ICE raids are political tactics” designed to create fear.
“When you’re scared, it’s very helpful to know things because you know things give you power,” Blaser told viewers, warning that ICE agents are “often very aggressive.”
On her official website, Ocasio-Cortez distributes a flyer advising illegal immigrants on “their rights.” The document explicitly instructs them: “You do not have to open the door” for ICE officers and suggests they should “ask them to put the warrant under the door.”
Tom Homan has made it clear he is done tolerating obstruction from elected officials. He slammed Ocasio-Cortez for “making fun” of the law while encouraging people to break it.
“She is wrong about the law when she says it’s not a crime to be here illegally,” Fahey confirmed, backing Homan. “Most of these people got in without permission, which is against the law.”
As the Department of Justice reviews the definitions of harboring and impediment, the “Squad” leader may find that her political stunts have serious legal consequences.
“Many of these sanctuary cities are already breaking the law and have been for five years,” Fahey concluded. “Is the DOJ going to look back at what they did?”