Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has formally requested clarification from the Department of Justice after learning that she may be under review for her recent efforts to educate the public on their legal rights in immigration-related situations.
The New York representative sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi asking whether the DOJ is pursuing an investigation tied to a webinar she hosted earlier this year. The event, titled “Know Your Rights,” provided information in both English and Spanish about how individuals can legally respond to encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The event included attorneys from the Immigrant Defense Project and focused on outlining constitutional protections for those approached by immigration officers. Alongside the webinar, printed materials were also distributed by her office that aimed to explain legal rights and options in simple terms.
Following the event, former federal immigration official Tom Homan expressed concern that the information presented may have been used to help individuals avoid detention, and publicly stated he referred Ocasio-Cortez to the Justice Department for potential review.
In her letter to the DOJ, Ocasio-Cortez wrote: “Educating the public about their rights is a central part of what elected officials are supposed to do—particularly during times of uncertainty or heightened enforcement activity.”
She also requested a formal update from the Department on whether any investigation has been launched or if her office is under review for its public outreach efforts.
The situation has sparked wider debate over the balance between public education and law enforcement, particularly when it comes to immigration. While supporters of the event say it was intended to ensure individuals understand their legal protections, others have raised concerns about the potential consequences of such outreach.
Officials from the Department of Justice have not yet issued a public response to the inquiry.
