Will AOC Face Charges for Allegedly Helping Undocumented Immigrants Avoid ICE?

Immigration has once again dominated the nation's conversation since Donald Trump's return to the White House in January 2025.

Amid threats of mass deportations and a hardline border security agenda, it was widely reported that New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) would face legal charges for allegedly instructing undocumented immigrants on how to avoid capture by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

No Evidence AOC Is Facing Charges Over Immigration Guidance

Despite no credible reports indicating that she is facing charges for allegedly teaching unauthorized immigrants how to avoid ICE, or any DOJ press releases or public statements from her office supporting the claim, the speculation gained momentum following her office's 'Know Your Rights with ICE' webinar on February 13, 2025.

The event, organized in collaboration with the Immigrant Defense Project, aimed to educate constituents—many of whom live in the diverse 14th District, which covers parts of Queens and the Bronx—about their legal rights when encountering ICE agents.

Before proceeding with the 54-minute webinar, in which Ocasio-Cortez did not appear, the host from her office displayed a legal disclaimer stating that the content was for informational purposes only and not legal advice, advising viewers to consult an attorney if legal counsel was needed.

Additionally, other Democratic members of Congress have conducted similar seminars in their constituencies without being charged.

Spurious Reports of DOJ Opening Probe of Ocasio-Cortez

Speculation that charges might be filed against Ocasio-Cortez followed Border Czar Tom Homan's statement that she 'may be' under investigation by the DOJ for obstructing immigration enforcement.

In response, Ocasio-Cortez requested clarification from Attorney General Pam Bondi by March 5, 2025, but no official announcement has been made regarding an investigation against Ocasio-Cortez.

Hosting legal education events is legal within the United States and under the First Amendment. Experts agree that providing 'Know Your Rights' information is legal and that although it is fine to advise regarding ICE activity, the webinar focused on constitutional rights, such as the Fourth Amendment protection against illegal search and seizure, that apply to all individuals present on U.S. soil.

Trump’s Second-Term Immigration Policies and Misleading Border Encounter Claims

Trump's second term began with swift immigration actions: terminating the CBP One app, expanding expedited removals, and deploying 1,500 additional troops to the border.
By March 16, 2025, ICE had made 32,809 enforcement arrests, nearly matching Biden's total for the entire year of 2024.

On March 13, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced a 94% drop in U.S. border encounters since February 2024. Three days later, she shared a video unveiling a new 7-mile stretch of President Trump’s border wall in Arizona.

In mid-February 2025, the White House posted a graphic claiming a 95% drop in daily illegal 'alien' encounters under Trump, comparing Biden's final seven days in office (20,086 encounters) with Trump's first seven days (1,041 encounters). Another claim suggested a 93% reduction in 'illegal alien gotaways.'

However, PolitiFact fact-checked these figures, finding the actual decrease was 60%, not 95%. The White House's numbers included encounters at both official ports of entry and between them, while Trump's administration had eliminated a system that allowed legal asylum seekers to enter.

PolitiFact also pointed out a broader decline in illegal immigration since March 2024, influenced by Biden's policies, not just Trump's.

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