Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized "the laws out of Springfield that are protecting illegal criminals and not prioritizing the American citizens" in a news conference on May 7.

Noem said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has been "incentivizing illegals (to come live in Illinois)" by giving them access to free health care to the tune of $1.6 billion to the state's taxpayers and that the results of Illinois being "a sanctuary state have been disastrous.

"Change your ways and protect your people," Noem told Pritzker.

In a statement, Pritzker shot back that "unlike (President) Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the law. ​The Trump Administration is violating the United States Constitution, denying people due process, and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – including children who are U.S. citizens."

Noem's 20-minute press conference near the intersection of Eighth and Canedy streets included several Angel Families, whose daughters and sons were killed by illegal aliens.

The site of Noem's press conference was not far from where Springfield activist Emma Shafer was fatally stabbed in 2023.

Gabriel Calixto-Pichardo, 27, is wanted on three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery in the fatal stabbing of Shafer. Calixto-Pichardo was residing at Shafer's residence at the time of the stabbing.

About a week or so after the murder, Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette told The State Journal-Register, there were indications that Calixto-Pichardo, a Mexican national, "was still within the U.S. and there (were) also indications that he may not be."

Asked if Scarlette was referring to Mexico as a place Calixto-Pichardo may be, he said, "Yes, that's correct."

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser did not go on record about Calixto-Pichardo's whereabouts, but that there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Emma's family and friends," Milhiser texted. "We will do everything possible to bring (Calixto-Pichardo) to justice."

Noem said Calixto-Pichardo was "probably in Illinois. We can't confirm that because the local law enforcement and the state law enforcement are barred by state law, with the support of Gov. Pritzker, from sharing any information with our ( U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ) officers or (Homeland Security) officers."

The state's Trust Act, a 2017 law prohibits law enforcement from participating, supporting or assisting ICE.

At one point during the press conference, Noem held up a "wanted" poster for Calixto-Pichardo and said because he had a previous felony kidnapping on his record, "he should have been deported immediately after he was released."

Noem's press conference ended shortly after some protesters found out the location and blared car horns and whistles.

A Springfield Immigrant Advocacy Network at the Y Block by the governor's mansion at the same time as Noem's visit drew about 200-300 people, including Shafer's parents, John Shafer and Cathy Schwartz.

Noem told reporters that her office had reached out to "Emma Shafer's family," but had not been able to get a response. Noem said she was unaware that Shafer and Schwartz were at the Y Block.

Rev. Martin Woulfe, a confidante of Shafer's, said it was "despicable that ICE would use Emma to broadcast its agenda. Emma stood for everything opposite of ICE and what they're doing.

"It's disgusting how they used her in this situation."

Before the press conference, Noem stopped at a Homeland Security regional processing center on Constitution Drive where she spoke to two men being processed for possible deportation.

A Homeland Security spokesman said Noem asked them if they knew why they were there and if they understood the charges against them.

On May 6, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Oakland, called on Illinois sheriffs to defy Pritzker’s state sanctuary laws, uphold Trump’s federal immigration policies and cooperate with ICE to deport illegal aliens.

“Governor JB Pritzker’s sanctuary state policies have transformed Illinois into a cesspool of crime and drugs brought by the illegals he is actively resettling," Miller said in a statement.

Also on May 6, Pritzker said he would “voluntarily appear" to testify before the Republican-led U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee alongside New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over their states’ immigration policies.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; [email protected]; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

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