Podcast Summary: Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode: Bonus Pod: Pritzker releases 1,800 Criminal Illegal Aliens Despite ICE Detainers
Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson (Solo episode—no Ted Cruz in this segment)
Podcast: Verdict with Ted Cruz

Episode Overview

This bonus episode centers on recent headlines involving state-level defiance of federal immigration enforcement, focusing particularly on Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's alleged release of nearly 1,800 criminal illegal aliens despite ICE detainers, and related incidents in California and New York. Host Ben Ferguson critiques Democratic leadership in sanctuary states and cities, arguing that their policies result in increased danger for American citizens. The episode concludes with the assertion that the Trump administration will continue trying to bring criminal aliens to justice despite these local obstacles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Illinois’ Release of Criminal Illegal Aliens

• Ferguson reports that Governor Pritzker and Illinois officials have released over 1,800 illegal aliens charged with crimes including:
  • Murder, assault, burglary, robbery, sex crimes (including crimes against children), drug crimes (notably fentanyl-related), and weapons offenses.
• ICE officials claim that Illinois failed to honor over 1,768 ICE detainers, releasing these individuals into local communities.
• Quotes acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and DHS Secretary Trisha McLaughlin calling for Illinois to cooperate with federal authorities.
• Ferguson emphasizes that among those released are:
  • 5 charged with murder, 141 with assault, 10 with sex crimes, and 24 with drug crimes.
  • There are still over 4,000 illegal aliens with active ICE detainers in Illinois.

Notable Quote:

"Governor Pritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians are releasing these murderers, pedophiles and kidnappers back into our neighborhoods and putting American lives at risk."
—Ben Ferguson quoting DHS Secretary Trisha McLaughlin [08:36]

Examples Cited:

• Victor Manuel Menendez Garcia (Mexico): Convicted kidnapper, sentenced to 18 years, released rather than handed to ICE.
• Juan Morales Martinez (Guatemala): Involved in a fatal vehicle crash, ICE arrested after county jail release.
• Gonzalez Jimenez (Mexico): Convicted of multiple sexual assault and DUI charges, not turned over to ICE.
• Juan Alberto Caro Morin (Mexico): Convicted for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, ICE detainer not honored but later taken into ICE custody.

2. Case in California: Fatal DUI Crash

• Discusses an incident where a Guatemalan national, Alva Rodriguez, caused a head-on crash in San Diego that killed an 8-year-old girl.
• Highlights Rodriguez’s history of driving offenses and drunk driving, questioning why sanctuary policies allow recidivist offenders back onto roads.
• Quotes Department of Homeland Security's call for Governor Newsom to cooperate with ICE.

Notable Quote:

"How many deaths of children at the hands of criminal legal aliens need to happen before Governor Newsom and sanctuary politicians will prioritize the safety and security of American families?"
—Ben Ferguson quoting DHS statement [12:50]

3. Sanctuary City Policies in New York

• Covers remarks from New York City’s new mayor-elect, Mandani (note: Eric Adams’ voice is used, but "Mandani" is referenced as the new mayor-elect).
• Plays a segment where the mayor instructs immigrants—including undocumented ones—on how to interact with ICE, asserting that:
  • ICE cannot enter homes or private spaces without a signed judicial warrant.
  • People have the right to remain silent and to film encounters with ICE.

Notable Quotes:

"ICE cannot enter into private spaces, like your home, school, or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge."
—Mayor-elect Mandani [16:08]

"New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters."
—Mayor-elect Mandani [16:55]

• Ferguson characterizes these policies as explicit instructions for illegal immigrants on how to evade arrest, arguing that this puts American lives at risk.

Response:

"That is the mayor elect of New York making it very clear he doesn't work for the citizens of New York. Instead, he works for the illegal immigrants and telling them everything he can to help them continue to break the laws."
—Ben Ferguson [17:01]

4. Framing: Trump Administration’s Response

• Throughout the episode, Ferguson frames the Trump administration as committed to public safety and determined to enforce immigration laws, regardless of opposition from state/local sanctuary policies.
• Emphasizes escalating efforts to track down and deport individuals who, according to Ferguson, are endangering American communities.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Illinois’ Policies:
  "Democrats have chosen to put more lives at risk. Your life is one of them. With the new moves that they're doing to undermine Donald Trump and the laws in this nation."
  —Ben Ferguson [03:35]

• On ICE Cooperation:
  "It is common sense criminal legal aliens should not be released back into our streets to terrorize more innocent Americans."
  —Department of Homeland Security official, read by Ferguson [08:51]

• On California Tragedy:
  "This serial drunk driver should never have been allowed back onto California roads. We are praying for the family of this child who will be grieving this holiday season."
  —Ben Ferguson [13:29]

• On New York’s Mayor-elect:
  "Literally telling the criminals exactly how to fight back and not be arrested."
  —Ben Ferguson [16:30]

Important Timestamps

• [03:01]—Main segment begins; Illinois releases 1,800 criminal illegal aliens
• [06:44]—Breakdown of Illinois detainer failures and types of crimes
• [08:36]—Quote from DHS Secretary McLaughlin on public safety risks
• [09:30]—Case examples: Menendez Garcia, Morales Martinez, Jimenez, Caro Morin
• [11:54]—California case: DUI crash killing an 8-year-old girl
• [13:29]—Details on Rodriguez’s criminal record and federal-state clash
• [15:36]—New York City mayor-elect’s message to immigrants on ICE encounters
• [16:08-16:55]—Direct audio from mayor-elect on legal rights when dealing with ICE
• [17:01]—Ferguson's summation and critique of sanctuary policies

Episode Tone & Style

• Direct and urgent, with an emphasis on public safety and criticism of Democratic officials and sanctuary policies.
• Relies on official statements, reported incidents, and rhetorical flourishes ("murderers, pedophiles and kidnappers"; "radicals in radical cities").
• Positions Trump administration as the force for law and order against "radical" local policies.

Final Takeaway

The episode presents a focused critique of sanctuary policies in Illinois, California, and New York, arguing that such actions put American lives at risk and actively thwart federal immigration law enforcement. Ferguson urges listeners to support stronger enforcement and cooperation with ICE, and frames the matter as an urgent, ongoing struggle between public safety and politically motivated local governance.