Assistant Minority Leader and State Representative John M. Cabello issued the following statement in response to news reports that a former Illinois teacher living in the United States illegally, who was allegedly involved in a 2024 Tren de Aragua mass shooting that killed three people and wounded five at a Chicago house party, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in May:
“Death, destruction, and mayhem continue to terrorize Illinois neighborhoods as a direct result of policies supported by JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats. The Chicago Police Department arrested the suspect in this case, Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti, three days after the shooting on charges of unlawful use of weapons and other weapons offenses. However, she was released without ICE being notified due to Illinois’ and Chicago’s sanctuary policies, despite the fact she was living here illegally.
“I am grateful to the men and women of ICE and all law enforcement for their hard work and dedication in bringing this criminal to justice despite the barriers put in their way by JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats. The fact that this suspect was formerly employed as a public school teacher should concern every family. Not only are JB Pritzker’s policies putting dangerous criminals ahead of victims and public safety, in this case schoolchildren were put at risk by allowing this suspect to be working in a classroom. Illinois’ sanctuary policies should be repealed NOW!”
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John M. Cabello is the Assistant Minority Leader and State Representative for Illinois’ 90th House District, which includes the following communities in Winnebago, Stephenson, and Boone counties: Rockford, Machesney Park, Freeport, Roscoe, Loves Park, Rockton, South Beloit, Caledonia, Durand, Rock City, and Rockton.