ICE Official Condemns Governor’s Halloween Immigration Request

By Newsmax Wires | Friday, 31 October 2025 08:09 PM EDT
Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, rejected Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s request to suspend federal immigration enforcement in the Chicago area during the Halloween weekend. Pritzker had asked ICE and its partners to halt operations for three days so children could “safely celebrate Halloween.”

Lyons criticized the governor’s appeal as “pretty embarrassing” on “Rob Schmitt Tonight,” stating, “The children of Illinois don’t deserve to be raped by criminal illegal aliens. They don’t deserve to be trafficked in sex trafficking or forced labor. So, the governor needs to refocus his attention on what’s really happening in his state.”

Lyons supported Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s response, which called Pritzker’s request “shameful.” Noem confirmed ICE agents would operate normally to ensure public safety and protect families during Halloween. Lyons emphasized that ICE would not target children or use excessive force but reiterated the agency’s commitment to arresting criminal aliens in Chicago.