CHICAGO - On May 7, 2025, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Springfield to call out JB Pritzker’s sanctuary city policies that have enabled criminals and put Illinois families at risk. Noem focused on the importance of putting America First and making sure that our communities are safe – a stark contrast from JB Pritzker’s agenda of putting criminal illegal immigrants above Illinois. Here’s what they are saying about Noem’s important visit to Springfield:

CBS News: DHS Secretary Noem and Illinois Gov. Pritzker spar over state’s immigration policies

Standing alongside a handful of Illinois Republican state lawmakers, Noem criticized Pritzker, claiming Illinois doesn’t protect its citizens, and demanded the state change.

“I’m calling on Gov. Pritzker and all the other leaders of this state to abandon their dangerous sanctuary policies,” she said. “I’m thankful for all the state leaders that are standing behind me who agree as well. They have been fighting an uphill battle with this governor, and I’m proud of them that they’re standing here with us today and with these angel families, and saying enough is enough. We have to change as a state.”

Chicago Tribune: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stops in Springfield to criticize state’s immigration policies

“People are dying every day because of these policies. People are evading justice,” Noem said. “Governors like JB Pritzker don’t care if gangbangers, murderers, rapists and pedophiles roam free in his state.”

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Ahead of Noem’s visit, Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller of central Illinois, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, called on Illinois sheriffs to defy the state’s sanctuary laws, “uphold President Trump’s federal immigration policies, and cooperate with ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to deport illegal aliens.”

“We must act now before one more innocent American life is lost or harmed,” she said in a statement.

Republican state Sen. Andrew Chesney, a Trump delegate during last summer’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, on Tuesday applauded Noem for stopping in Illinois and criticized Pritzker for “rolling out the red carpet for illegal immigrants.”

Chicago Sun-Times: In Springfield visit, Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem takes aim at Gov. Pritzker’s sanctuary policies

Illinois Republicans, including Sens. Chapin Rose, Terri Bryant and Sue Rezin, stood alongside Noem. Noem held the briefing with “angel families,” a term used by anti-immigration advocates to describe relatives of victims killed by people who lack legal status. President Donald Trump has long focused on the deaths of Americans at the hands of people who lacked legal status, and Noem is following in his steps.

Noem’s visit also shows that Trump is actively targeting Pritzker, who is seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender. Republicans have criticized Pritzker for a political speech in New Hampshire last month in which he called for “mass protests for mobilization, for disruption.” The GOP interpreted that as a call to incite violence, which Pritzker has strongly denied.

Noem made reference to that speech on Wednesday as well.

“Shame on him for standing up the other day and saying Republicans should never know a moment of peace. This country is desperate for peace,” Noem said. “It’s desperate for safe communities and streets where they can walk their children to school and no have to worry about getting robbed or stabbed.”

Axios: DHS Secretary Kristi Noem scolds Pritzker on sanctuary state status

“I’m going to fight for the victims every single day and draw attention to them as long as we can, and President Trump will continue to do that as well. We should be united as a country around bringing violent criminals to justice and getting them out of the United States of America.”

FOX32: Noem slams Illinois’ sanctuary policies in Springfield, Pritzker fires back

Speaking outside the governor’s mansion, Noem claimed Illinois’ approach has led to a rise in violent crime.

“This governor has bragged about Illinois being a firewall against President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda and it is very clear that he is violating the Constitution of the United States because it is a federal law that the federal government and the president set and enforce immigration policies,” Noem said.

The Center Square: WATCH: Noem’s Illinois visit sparks debate over state’s migrant sanctuary laws

A visit to Springfield Wednesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sparking debate over Illinois’ migrant sanctuary policies.

Noem flew into Springfield’s airport and then went to a Springfield DHS processing center to talk with federal agents and two non-citizens being processed.

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“Gov. Pritzker, change your ways. Protect your people. Help us clean up our streets and help us stop this violent, illegal alien criminal activity that is happening in your state,” she said.

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Illinois Republicans say the state should amend the law that prohibits state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officials in enforcing civil detention orders. They also say Illinois’ sanctuary laws harm public safety and drain Illinois tax dollars for non-citizen health care subsidies and more.