Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly on Thursday said members of Congress have tried to “threaten me and my officers” as they enforce the country’s immigration laws.
“I am offended when members of this institution exert pressure and often threaten me and my officers to ignore the laws they make and I am sworn to uphold,” Kelly said during a press briefing at the Capitol on sanctuary cities legislation.
“DHS does not make the laws, Congress does,” the retired Marine Corps general said. “And we will enforce the laws passed by Congress.”
He didn’t identify any congressional lawmakers by name during the briefing with House Speaker Paul Ryan to talk about two bills that would crack down on illegal immigrants, a top issue for President Trump during the campaign.
One would strip federal money from local governments that designate themselves as sanctuary cities to prevent law enforcement officials from cooperating with government immigration officials.
The other, “Kate’s Law,” would increase criminal penalties for people who try to reenter the country after being deported because they committed crimes.
It’s named after Kathryn Steinle, who was shot and killed by a man in the US illegally in 2015.
Kelly thanked lawmakers for pushing the legislation and blasted those who oppose it.
“Appreciate your time and effort working to protect the men and women of ICE and the citizens of these so-called sanctuary cities from public officials who have chosen politics in my opinion over public safety,” he said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.