Sheriff warns ICE agents ‘will not be able to hide’ if they come to her city – the agency’s chief fires back with a challenge

The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement fired back at a Philadelphia sheriff who called his agents fake law enforcement officers. ICE chief Todd Lyons responded after Democrat Sheriff Rochelle Bilal made strong threats against federal agents during a press conference. The heated exchange marks the latest clash between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

According to the Daily Mail, Bilal’s comments came after an ICE agent named Jonathan Ross shot and killed a Minnesota woman named Renee Nicole Good. The sheriff warned that any ICE agents who commit crimes in Philadelphia will face arrest. She said no one would be able to protect them, not even President Donald Trump. Bilal made it clear that ICE agents operating in her city would be held accountable just like any other person.

Bilal spoke alongside District Attorney Larry Krasner to condemn the shooting during her speech. She told ICE agents they don’t want trouble because her department will bring consequences. The sheriff said, “If any [ICE agents] want to come in this city and commit a crime, you will not be able to hide, nobody will whisk you off.” Lyons has not publicly responded to her challenge.

Lyons challenges the sheriff to follow through

Lyons responded to Bilal’s threats during a Fox News interview. He said, “First off, any time you pit law enforcement officers against law enforcement officers, it makes nobody safe.” The ICE chief then dared the sheriff to try arresting his agents.

“I’m not one for big banter or bluster, but my message to the sheriff is: try it. Try [and] arrest my folks and see what happens.” Multiple cases involving how officials handle public scrutiny have drawn attention recently.

Bilal continued her criticism of ICE during a CNN interview on Friday. She said people are tired of masked agents coming into cities and pulling people out. The sheriff claimed ICE operations cause chaos instead of reducing crime.

Trump’s border czar Tom Homan asked people to be more careful when talking about ICE. He said he has attended funerals for Border Patrol and ICE agents during his career. Homan begged everyone to tone down their words because he doesn’t want anyone to die.

Questions about Trump’s support for certain law enforcement officials have sparked debate. Three Minnesota congresswomen tried to visit an ICE facility on Saturday but were kicked out after ten minutes. Representatives Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig accused ICE of blocking them from doing their oversight duties. ICE said the visit didn’t follow proper rules requiring seven days advance notice.