Deputy White House Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller has issued a strong warning against Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other officials accused of obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, stating they could face “seditious conspiracy” charges.
Miller made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News, where he criticized Pritzker’s efforts to limit ICE enforcement actions in Illinois. He emphasized that any official who “conspires or engages in activity that unlawfully impedes federal law enforcement” could be held accountable. “There’s obstruction of justice. There is harboring illegal aliens. There is impeding the enforcement of our immigration laws,” Miller said, adding that seditious conspiracy charges—carrying up to 20 years in prison—could apply depending on the severity of the actions.
Pritzker has continued efforts to position Illinois as a “safe haven” for undocumented individuals, including signing an executive order to establish a commission investigating alleged misconduct by ICE agents. The governor has also repeatedly compared Trump-era immigration enforcement to authoritarian practices, likening it to Nazi Germany. During a recent interview, Pritzker claimed ICE operations targeted “Black and Brown people because of the color of their skin,” despite acknowledging that Illinois would assist in deporting violent criminals with proper warrants.
Miller reiterated that ICE officers have federal immunity during official duties, warning that anyone interfering with their work commits a felony. He called on officials to avoid “criminal conspiracy against the United States or against ICE officers,” stating they would face “justice” if they crossed legal boundaries.
