Deputy White House Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller issued a direct warning Thursday night to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other state officials, saying they could face federal prosecution \u2014 including \u201cseditious conspiracy\u201d charges \u2014 if they interfere with ICE operations.<\/p>\n
Miller appeared on Fox News\u2019 America Reports to respond to Pritzker\u2019s ongoing efforts to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement from conducting arrests and deportations in Illinois.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t only apply to Gov. Pritzker,\u201d Miller said. \u201cIt applies to ANY state official, local official, anybody operating in an official capacity who conspires or engages in activity that unlawfully impedes federal law enforcement conducting their duties.\u201d<\/p>\n
The senior White House official outlined a range of potential criminal offenses for officials who attempt to obstruct federal immigration enforcement, including obstruction of justice, harboring illegal aliens, and impeding the enforcement of immigration laws.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs you get up the scale of behavior, you obviously get into seditious conspiracy charges, depending on the conduct, and many other offenses,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you engage in a criminal conspiracy to obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws or to unlawfully order your own police officers or your own officials to interfere with ICE officers, or even to arrest ICE officers, you\u2019re engaged in criminal activity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miller reminded local leaders that ICE agents are shielded by federal immunity when carrying out lawful duties.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo all ICE officers, you have federal IMMUNITY in the conduct of your duties,\u201d Miller said. \u201cAnybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop you or obstruct you is committing a FELONY.\u201d<\/p>\n