In early 2025, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) faced criticism from former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan after she hosted a public webinar designed to educate undocumented immigrants about their legal rights.
The event, conducted in both English and Spanish, featured immigration attorneys and legal experts who provided guidance on how undocumented individuals can respond to ICE encounters. Participants were informed that they are not required to open their doors to ICE agents without a valid, judge-signed warrant. The webinar also shared resources for accessing pro bono legal assistance and encouraged individuals to sign privacy release forms to allow congressional offices to assist in certain immigration-related matters.
Criticism from Tom Homan
Tom Homan, who served as acting ICE Director under the Trump administration, publicly criticized Ocasio-Cortez’s efforts, arguing that educating undocumented immigrants on how to deal with ICE could potentially interfere with enforcement operations. In interviews, he suggested that her actions should be reviewed, claiming they might hinder law enforcement.
AOC Responds
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has strongly defended the webinar, framing it as a First Amendment-protected effort to inform constituents of their rights under the U.S. Constitution.
“I was fully using the First Amendment to inform people of their constitutional rights,” she said in a public statement. She added that Know Your Rights events are a common and legal method used by advocacy organizations and elected officials alike to ensure that immigrants understand how to protect themselves during law enforcement encounters.
Legal Experts Agree
Legal experts across the political spectrum have dismissed claims that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Know Your Rights” webinar was unlawful. Constitutional scholars emphasized that informing individuals of their rights—especially in immigration contexts—is protected under the First Amendment and is a long-standing practice by civil rights organizations.
Fox News legal analyst Jonathan Turley called former ICE Director Tom Homan’s remarks “deeply troubling,” warning that treating such advocacy as criminal could set a dangerous precedent.
Ocasio-Cortez’s office clarified that the event aimed to educate vulnerable communities, not encourage illegal behavior. Similar sessions have been hosted for decades by groups like the ACLU and city governments. Legal consensus remains clear: sharing accurate information about constitutional rights is not only legal—it’s essential in a democracy.