Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is calling on the Department of Justice to review a recent online event hosted by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), claiming it may have crossed legal boundaries by advising undocumented immigrants on how to handle encounters with federal immigration officers.
The webinar, titled “Know Your Rights With ICE,” was streamed on social media last month and featured attorneys and immigrant-rights advocates offering advice to undocumented residents. The panel provided what it called “essential information” on dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, including how to respond if approached at home, at work, or in public spaces.
During the session, participants were told not to open doors without a signed warrant, to remain silent unless speaking with a lawyer, and to avoid signing documents they didn’t understand. The event also included downloadable materials summarizing the guidance.
Supporters of Ocasio-Cortez praised the effort as an important educational resource, arguing that knowing one’s legal rights during enforcement encounters is not only lawful but necessary. But critics, including Secretary Noem, said the webinar might constitute “aiding obstruction of law enforcement.”
“This is not about compassion — this is about the law,” Noem said in an interview with Fox News Sunday. “We cannot have sitting members of Congress telling people how to evade immigration officers. That’s unacceptable, and it needs to be reviewed immediately.”
Noem added that she intends to request a formal review by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel to determine whether Ocasio-Cortez’s office violated federal statutes related to obstruction or interference with immigration enforcement.
Legal experts say the case highlights a gray area between free speech protections and the limits of official conduct. According to constitutional law professor Erin Wallace of Georgetown University, “There’s a difference between advising people of their constitutional rights and instructing them on how to resist enforcement. The latter could be interpreted as interference, especially if it results in active obstruction.”
Ocasio-Cortez has defended the event, saying the criticism reflects a misunderstanding of her intent. “Educating people about their rights is not a crime,” she said during a town hall meeting in Queens. “Every person — citizen or not — is entitled to know what the law says. We were not encouraging anyone to break it.”
Her allies in Congress echoed her sentiment. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) posted on X: “Knowing your rights is not the same as resisting the law. Republicans are weaponizing fear because they’ve failed to fix immigration reform.”
Conservative lawmakers, however, argue that AOC’s event sets a dangerous precedent. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) said in a statement, “It’s outrageous that a member of Congress would give tips to illegal immigrants on avoiding ICE. This isn’t advocacy — it’s sabotage.”
The controversy comes amid growing political tension over immigration policy. Noem, who was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security earlier this year, has taken a hardline stance on border control and interior enforcement. Her call for review is the latest flashpoint in an escalating clash between progressive lawmakers and federal agencies.
As of now, the Justice Department has not announced whether it will open a formal inquiry. A spokesperson declined to comment, saying only that “the department is aware of the request and reviewing available information.”
Behind the scenes, insiders say both the White House and House Democratic leadership are closely monitoring the situation, wary of how it could impact the broader political debate heading into the 2026 election season.
“This isn’t just about one webinar,” said political analyst Mark Hernandez. “It’s about how far lawmakers can go in challenging immigration enforcement while still operating within the law. It’s a collision of policy, politics, and principle — and it’s not going away anytime soon.”
For now, Ocasio-Cortez remains defiant, while Noem insists she’s simply upholding her duty to the law. Their standoff encapsulates a deeper national divide — one between those who see immigration through the lens of enforcement and those who see it through the lens of rights.
