Podcast Summary: "Homeland Security Issues Warning to 3 States Over ICE Detainers"

Podcast: Facts Matter
Host: The Epoch Times (Roman)
Date: September 30, 2025
Episode Theme:
An in-depth look at Department of Homeland Security’s warning to California, New York, and Illinois regarding ICE detainers, the evolving challenges of sanctuary state policies, recent federal enforcement actions, and the national conversation around immigration enforcement.

Main Theme Overview

Host Roman explores the intensifying conflict between federal immigration authorities and sanctuary states. The episode details Homeland Security's efforts to secure cooperation from state governments, the practical dangers and political fallout being faced by ICE agents, the federal expansion of ICE operations, and the broader philosophy driving current immigration enforcement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DHS Warning to Sanctuary States

• DHS issued a formal warning to California, New York, and Illinois regarding their non-cooperation with ICE detainers ([00:00]).
• Sanctuary policies in these states result in local law enforcement not notifying ICE when immigrants with criminal records are released, increasing risk for federal agents and the public.

Quote:
“These dangerous sanctuary policies, often combined with cashless bail for serious crimes, allow criminal illegal aliens to be released back into American communities, threatening the American people’s lives and well being.” – DHS Official ([03:17])

• Examples cited in the warning include crimes such as rape, domestic abuse, assault with deadly weapon, and gang activity by released individuals ([01:23]).

States’ Responses

• NY and IL: Explicit refusal to cooperate.
• CA: No response.

2. Federal Law Enforcement Actions

Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago

• ICE conducted significant immigration raids targeting what officials called "the worst, most dangerous criminal illegal aliens" in Chicago ([04:05]).
• Nearly 550 arrests in less than two weeks.
• Operation seen by state officials as authoritarian and lacking in coordination ([04:40]).

Quote:
“Instead of taking steps to work with us on public safety, the Trump administration is focused on scaring Illinoisans.” – Gov. J.B. Pritzker ([04:34])
"ICE basically a secret police force that is terrorizing his community." – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson ([05:12])

3. Local Pushback and Violence Against ICE

• Demonstrations in Chicago included assaults on agents, slashing tires, blocking entrances ([05:35]).
• Nationwide attacks include a sniper attack in Dallas on an ICE office, resulting in deaths and injuries; notably, the shooter unintentionally targeted detainees ([06:00]).

4. Legislative Escalation in California

• New law signed banning most law enforcement, including federal agents, from wearing face masks during operations in CA ([07:08]).
• Exemption: State police
• CA Governor Newsom framed the law as a defense against “authoritarian tendencies” ([07:30]).

Quote:
“It’s like a dystopian sci-fi movie. Unmarked cars, people in masks, people quite literally disappearing. No due process, no rights.” – Gov. Gavin Newsom ([07:35])

• Enforceability against federal agents is unclear, but indicative of the state's policy direction.

5. Expansion of ICE Funding and Operations

• Major increase in ICE funding via the "Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025":

  • $45 billion over several years for new detention centers.
  • $29.9 billion per year for enforcement/deportations ([08:23]).

• The ICE budget would make it the 16th largest military force globally, just behind Canada ([08:47]).

• Launch of the “Defend the Homeland” recruitment campaign:

  • Up to $50,000 signing bonuses, enhanced benefits.
  • 150,000 job applications in two months.
  • 18,000 job offers extended (doubling agency size) ([09:16]).

6. Deportation Data and “Self-Deportation” Trends

• DHS/ICE reports over 400,000 deportations since President Trump took office ([09:55]).
• Former border czar Tom Homan claims approx. 1.6 million “self-deportations” by illegal aliens voluntarily leaving the country, attributed to heightened enforcement ([10:22]).

Quote:
“We have over 400,000 deportations between CBP and ICE… over 1.5 million illegal aliens… already left the country on their own.” – Tom Homan ([10:22])

• Combined figure: About 2 million people have left the U.S., with expectations for further increases.

7. Presidential Philosophy and Rationale

• The episode closes with a segment from President Trump’s recent UN General Assembly speech, emphasizing border sovereignty, zero illegal entries in recent months, and a hardline stance on immigration enforcement ([12:49]).

Quote:
“If you come illegally into the United States, you’re going to jail or you’re going back to where you came from, or perhaps even further than that. You know what that means.” – President Trump ([13:30])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• DHS Official:
  “ICE detainers ask for something very simple: to notify ICE when criminal illegal aliens are released from jail...” ([03:17])

• Gov. J.B. Pritzker:
  “The Trump administration is focused on scaring Illinoisans.” ([04:34])

• Mayor Brandon Johnson:
  “ICE…is terrorizing our community.” ([05:12])

• Gov. Gavin Newsom:
  “It’s like a dystopian sci-fi movie. Unmarked cars, people in masks…no due process, no rights.” ([07:35])

• Tom Homan (Former Border Czar):
  “We have over 400,000 deportations between CBP and ICE…and over 1.5 million illegal aliens…already left the country on their own.” ([10:22])

• President Trump:
  “If you come illegally into the United States, you’re going to jail or you’re going back to where you came from, or perhaps even further than that.” ([13:30])

Important Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction to DHS warning and sanctuary state context
• [01:23] Concrete examples of criminal releases cited by DHS
• [03:17] DHS official’s statement on sanctuary policies
• [04:05] Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago
• [04:34] Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor responses
• [05:35] Violent community protest incidents and attacks on ICE
• [06:00] Sniper attack on Dallas ICE office
• [07:08] California bans masks for federal agents
• [08:23] ICE funding increases and agency expansion
• [09:16] "Defend the Homeland" recruitment campaign results
• [10:22] Tom Homan on deportation statistics and self-deportation
• [12:49] President Trump's speech at the UN

Summary

Roman provides a detailed, fact-focused examination of the conflict between federal immigration policy and state-level sanctuary policies, highlighting escalating enforcement actions, deepening political divides, legislative changes in California, operational dangers faced by ICE, and the explosive scale of the nation’s new deportation apparatus. Firsthand quotes from officials on both sides, real-world incidents, and Trump’s philosophical framing at the UN round out this deeply relevant and charged episode.