Acting ICE director Thomas Homan on Thursday reiterated his position that sanctuary city leaders should be held accountable if they violate federal laws on illegal immigration.
"What I said I meant," Homan said on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" about his interview last week with Neil Cavuto, during which he said mayors, city managers et al should be charged for harboring illegals.
"What I said was sanctuary cities is a public safety threat. It's an officer safety threat," Homan said Thursday.
Homan said he has asked Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Department of Justice to look at sanctuary cities and answer one question.
"I want you to tell me in your opinion, at the Department of Justice, are they violating federal law?" Homan said.
Homan cited one smuggling statute that references "knowingly shielding and harboring illegal aliens from enforcement."
"If (ICE is) denied access to a jail, (and) we know there is an illegal alien in that jail that's been arrested for a crime, if we are denied information, if we are denied access, is that a violation of federal statute? And if it is, let's hold somebody accountable," Homan said on Fox.
Even if that person is a city leader.
"Whoever knowingly and intentionally violates a federal law should be held accountable," Homan said.
"I'm providing (DOJ) data and information on sanctuary cities and what access I do or — more importantly — what access I don't have. They'll make that determination and we'll take action based on their findings," Homan said.
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