Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons shared a pointed message to Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal after she threatened to lock up any Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers who “come into our communities” to “commit a crime.”
Bilal’s feedback got here a day after 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis Wednesday morning whereas in her automotive. The ICE officer recognized as federal agent Jonathan Ross.
Calling ICE brokers “made-up fake, wannabe law enforcement” throughout a press convention, the Philadelphia sheriff immediately referred to as out President Donald Trump, vowing that the “criminal in the White House will not be able to keep [any ICE agents] from going to jail” in the event that they commit a criminal offense.
“If any of them want to come in this city and commit a crime, you will not be able to hide, nobody will whisk you off,” Bilal added. “You don’t want this smoke because we will bring it to you.”
Appearing on Fox News’ “Big Weekend Show” on Saturday, Lyons shot again at Bilal’s comment.
“Any time you pit law enforcement officers against law enforcement officers, it makes nobody safe,” Lyons mentioned.
Lyons argued that this “increased [political] rhetoric” from Bilal and different ICE critics is “what’s causing the issues right now” for brokers.
“We’re out there trying to do a lawful law enforcement mission, and this rhetoric is [a] pure example of what we’re facing everyday,” he claimed.
Wrapping up his response, Lyons dared the sheriff to “try and arrest” his ICE brokers.
“I’m not one for big banter or bluster, but my message to the sheriff is: Try it. Try [and] arrest my folks. Let’s see what happens,” he added.
Elsewhere within the interview, Lyons argued that the officer “took the appropriate action” after the outlet performed a brand new video displaying the ICE officer’s POV earlier than the deadly capturing.
“His training kicked in … you can’t put your mind in that officer’s mindset. He felt he was threatened, and he took the appropriate action,” he mentioned.
Trying to additional justify the officer’s actions, Lyons added that “they were dealing with these protestors all day long, and that’s what a lot of people don’t understand is, ICE officers and special agents are constantly hammered everyday by protestors just getting in the way [and] impeding.”
He added, “We’ve always said, ‘If you impede in a law enforcement situation, something is going to happen — and you’re going to get arrested.’ And this is proof of it right here.”
Watch a clip of Lyons’ Fox News interview right here.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-director-todd-lyons-philadelphia-sheriff-ice-agents-arrested-threats_n_6963f249e4b01a6de3f834f2