DHS hits back at Illinois county clerk who told ICE to stay away from primary polling places

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TheDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS)rebuked an Illinois clerk after she warned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents that they “won’t be tolerated” at polling places ahead of Tuesday’s primary election.

DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek earlier this month warned ICE agents — whom she labeled “thugs” — to steer clear of polling stations, insisting illegal migrants do not vote in elections.

“ICE is not planningoperations targeting polling locations.ICE conducts intelligence-driven targeted enforcement, and if an active public safety threat endangered a polling location, they may be arrested as a result of that targeted enforcement action,” a DHS spokesperson said.

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Voters cast their ballots during early voting in Chicago on Oct.4, 2024.(Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

Kaczmarek released a statement on March 3 railing against any potential ICE activity atpolling sites, saying it is a crime for federal agents to interfere in elections or intimidate voters.

“It is a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, to deploy federal ‘troops or armed men’ to any location where voting is taking place or elections are being held…” she said.

“Those crimes will not be tolerated in DuPage County.Not on my watch.ICE, go away.Do not even try.You will fail.”

She also rejected claims that noncitizens vote, warning ICE not to use that argument to justify enforcement near polling places.

“To ICE and the masterminds who employ you, IT IS A MYTH that noncitizens vote on Election Day.The very LAST place an undocumented person wants to be on Election Day is anywhere near a polling place.If caught voting, it wouldmean deportation.”

She also said DuPage County, the second-largest county in Illinois, was the first in the state to allow residents to vote at any polling location.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, along with other federal law enforcement agencies, attend a pre-enforcement meeting in Chicago.(Getty Images)

“The electoral process in DuPage County is uniquely and inherently protected against ICE thugs,” she said.

“That means ICE cannot target specific polling places to prevent those voters from having access to the polls, because if any ICE presence is reported, voters can simply go to any other of the 248 polling places throughout the county to cast their vote.”

“So do not attempt to use that pretense to intimidate registered citizens and rob them of their constitutional right to vote.”

Her office also set up a hotline for residents to report sightings of immigration agents or other federal personnel at polling places or early voting locations.

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DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek speaks in a video message about election security and ICE presence near polling locations.

DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek speaks in a video message ahead of the Illinois primary election, warning ICE agents to stay away from polling places.(DuPage County Clerk’s Office via Facebook)

“ICE has taken citizens into custody for a variety of reasons, including mistaken identity.Federal agents have killed American citizens during immigration enforcement operations.Registered voters should not fear exercising their right to vote,” Kaczmarek said.

“It is against federal law for ICE to interfere with voting, and I want DuPage County voters to know that I will protect their right to free and fair elections.”

� Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.

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