Pritzker Warned He Could Face ‘Seditious Conspiracy’ For Obstructing ICE Officers
A senior White House official has issued a stern warning to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other state leaders, cautioning that they could face federal prosecution—including “seditious conspiracy” charges—if they obstruct Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations within their jurisdictions.
Deputy White House Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller made the statement during an appearance on Fox News’ America Reports, addressing what he described as Governor Pritzker’s continued efforts to limit ICE enforcement actions in Illinois. Miller asserted that any state or local official who attempts to impede federal immigration officers could face serious criminal consequences.
“It doesn’t only apply to Gov. Pritzker,” Miller said. “It applies to ANY state official, local official, anybody operating in an official capacity who conspires or engages in activity that unlawfully impedes federal law enforcement conducting their duties.”
He went on to outline several potential offenses for officials found interfering with federal immigration enforcement, including obstruction of justice, harboring undocumented immigrants, and impeding the execution of federal law. “As you get up the scale of behavior, you obviously get into seditious conspiracy charges, depending on the conduct, and many other offenses,” he said.
Miller emphasized that ICE agents are protected by federal immunity while performing lawful duties and warned that any attempt to hinder their work would constitute a felony. “To all ICE officers, you have federal IMMUNITY in the conduct of your duties,” he said. “Anybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop you or obstruct you is committing a FELONY.”
Under U.S. law, seditious conspiracy carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Miller’s comments come amid rising tensions between the White House and Illinois leadership over the state’s “sanctuary” policies and recent actions by Governor Pritzker to increase oversight of immigration enforcement within the state.