Former ICE Director and current border czar Tom Homan has called on Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to apologize to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after they falsely claimed that ICE agents visited a Chicago elementary school to detain illegal immigrant children.
The controversy began when two Secret Service agents, who had clearly identified themselves, visited a Chicago elementary school to investigate a threat made on TikTok.
Despite their credentials and stated purpose, Martinez claimed during an appearance on MSNBC that the agents were from ICE.
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“Our staff followed the protocols, we were very clear with them, with our principals and security guards, and any front office staff to make sure they know that we are not to share any information with the immigration department or ICE,” Martinez said.
The false narrative was further amplified when Governor Pritzker shared it on X (formerly Twitter).
The post, which suggested that ICE agents were present at the school, has since been flagged with a Community Note clarifying the agents were from the Secret Service and not ICE.
After a week of Republicans sowing fear and chaos, the first reports of raids in Chicago are at an elementary school.
Targeting children and separating families is cruel and un-American. https://t.co/GEJP3W1d2q
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) January 24, 2025
Homan, appearing on Fox News, strongly criticized both Martinez and Pritzker for their handling of the situation, accusing them of intentionally misleading the public and spreading unnecessary fear in immigrant communities.

“Pedro Martinez lied. He lied to the city of Chicago cuz he knew they were Secret Service agents, because I talked to people involved. They left their credentials. He knew exactly who was there. So he lied. Again, sowing fear in the immigrant community,” Homan said.
Homan also took aim at Pritzker, saying the governor should have verified the facts before making public statements.
“Governor Pritzker, rather than calling ICE and asking ‘did this happen,’ he goes on social media and terrifies elementary schools [saying] ICE agents are walking in there. He accuses me of terrifying the community—no, he terrified the community, he terrified the children,” Homan continued.
Homan highlighted the work ICE does to protect children, including arresting individuals involved in crimes against minors.
He pointed out that, just a day prior to the controversy, ICE agents had arrested nine individuals suspected of being sexual predators.
“Pritzker needs to give ICE an apology,” Homan stated, emphasizing that children should not grow up fearing ICE agents entering their schools to arrest them.
Border Czar Tom Homan ripped the elected officials who blatantly lied about ICE Agents showing up to a school in Chicago, IL.
“Well, Peter Martinez lied. He lied to the city of Chicago ’cause he knew it was Secret Service agents because I talked to the people involved.”
“They… pic.twitter.com/3BRFwg6aQG
— Media Lies (@MediasLies) January 27, 2025
The incident has drawn attention to the spread of misinformation and the role public officials play in maintaining trust within communities.
While the Secret Service agents were conducting a legitimate investigation into a potential threat, the false claims have sparked fear and confusion, particularly among immigrant families.
As misinformation continues to circulate, the call for accountability from public officials has become a focal point of the debate.
As of now, neither Governor Pritzker nor Pedro Martinez has issued a public apology to ICE.
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