In a move that has sparked considerable debate, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has taken a controversial stance by leveraging the Halloween festivities to critique the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in Chicago. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about immigration enforcement and community safety.

Governor Pritzker addressed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, aiming his concerns at Secretary Kristi Noem and other key officials, including Todd M. Lyons, the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In his communication, Pritzker expressed apprehension about how ICE’s operations could impact families and children during Halloween, a time traditionally associated with festive community activities.

The governor’s letter specifically requested a temporary suspension of ICE activities in Chicago over the Halloween weekend. He argued that such actions could instill fear among parents and children, overshadowing the spirit of the holiday and disrupting a cherished tradition. This plea is seen by some as an attempt to ensure that trick-or-treaters can enjoy a sense of normalcy and safety as they participate in the festivities.

Governor Pritzker’s approach has been met with mixed reactions, with critics accusing him of using fear tactics to influence public opinion against ICE. This development unfolds amidst a broader conversation about the role of federal immigration enforcement in local communities, a topic that continues to polarize public discourse.

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The letter called on ICE to hit pause on actions in Chicago over the Halloween weekend.

It read:

“Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood,” Governor Pritzker wrote. “Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear.”

On Thursday, Pritzker spoke to members of the press and accused DHS of “attacking peaceful neighborhoods and terrorizing kids in Halloween parades.”

Sandra Smith: “[Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker] has asked you specifically to pause immigration enforcement in [Chicago] so he says that kids can safely celebrate Halloween. Do you have any plans to alter activity on that day?”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: “No, we’re going to be out… pic.twitter.com/ezer8RW1bm

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) October 30, 2025

“[Pritzker] has asked you specifically to pause immigration enforcement in [Chicago] so he says that kids can safely celebrate Halloween. Do you have any plans to alter activity on that day?” a Fox News host asked Noem, who hit back at Pritzker and said, “He’s lying.”

“No, we’re going to be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make sure kids are safe,” Noem continued. “Every day in Chicago, we are arresting murderers, child pedophiles, those who have perpetrated assault.” 

🚨 JUST IN: DHS Sec. Kristi Noem DROPS THE MIC on derelict Gov. JB Pritzker in expert fashion 🫳🎤

PRITZKER: They’re TERRORIZING KIDS!

NOEM: He’s lying…he just goes on TV and ATTACKS people. That CERTAINLY isn’t going to get him more power in a bigger office some day. He’s… pic.twitter.com/018teaJXrw

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 30, 2025

“He’s just not telling the truth…we will constantly stand up for the truth and for those people that live in those neighborhoods who want peace, they want safety, and they want these criminals out,” she added.

“Every day we’re on the streets of Chicago arresting people who have committed murders, rapists, those who are trafficking drugs and have been victimizing that city for years,” the secretary went on to say. “And no matter what Gov. Pritzker says, we’re going to do our job.”

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It’s just the latest disgusting move by Pritzker against the Immigration, Customs, and Enforcement agents who are doing their darndest to keep us safe after former President Joe Biden’s disastrous leadership and failure to secure our borders.

Speaking to Fox News a week ago, the Democrat governor tried to gaslight in a back-and-forth about how Chicago has the “highest murder rate” of all the big cities in the entire country, before he continued his attacks on DHS, my RedState colleague Sister Toldjah reported.

Baier: “Why does Chicago have the highest murder rate of all the big cities?”

Pritzker: “We’re not in the top 30.”

Baier: *shows him a map showing Chicago is number one*

Pritzker: “Look, you can pull statistics up but our murder rate has been cut in half.” pic.twitter.com/1Sg2JbyeIR

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 23, 2025

Pritzker: “ICE agents are literally racially profiling… Literally grabbing people and tackling them when they’re U.S. citizens.”

Baier: “Would you be willing to go on a ride-along with ICE in Chicago to get a better understanding of what they do?”

Pritzker: “No. I can see… pic.twitter.com/TsIWmwFN1V

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 23, 2025

Toldjah wrote:

In another segment, Pritzker told on himself a little bit, pretending that he wasn’t fanning the flames of incendiary rhetoric that was leading to murder attempts on ICE agents, and declaring he knew exactly the types of wrongdoing they were allegedly committing.

And yet when Baier asked him if he’d be willing to spend a day with ICE agents to see what they actually do and have to go through, the prospective 2028 presidential candidate declined.

“I can see what they do on the streets of Chicago,” Pritzker stated as he shook his head no.

Geez, it’s almost like that claim from former First Lady Michelle Obama about how when “they go low, we go high” was full of horse pucky. 

Editor’s Note: The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this.