Parents of stabbed Springfield woman condemn Noem's visit
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DHS Secretary Kristi Noem testifies in front of Congress on May 6. Photo: Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
The parents of Emma Shafer are admonishing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for using their daughter to push a "cruel and heartless political agenda."
Driving the news: Noem attacked Gov. JB Pritzker's stance on immigration and Illinois' status as a sanctuary state during a press conference Wednesday near Shafer's home where she was stabbed and killed in July 2023.
Context: Noem referred to the suspected killer, Gabriel Calixto, as an undocumented immigrant several times.
- The Sangamon County State's Attorney issued arrest warrants for Calixto on multiple charges of first-degree murder as well as aggravated assault, but Calixto has not been found.
- When asked by Axios for clarification of Calixto's status, a DHS spokesperson said they do not comment or provide information on specific individual immigration statuses.
Between the lines: No one from Shafer's family spoke at Noem's event, and several outlets reported her parents were at a protest against Noem's visit.
What they're saying: "Noem's words are in direct conflict with who Emma was as a person. Emma built up community and stood with all members, including immigrants," Cathy Schwartz and John Shafer said in a statement.
- "No parent should have to experience the loss of a child. But every time her name is brought into these conversations — conversations she would have wanted nothing to do with — we have to relive the pain of her death."
- The statement was shared by Pritzker's office, which said the family wanted the governor's office to distribute it to the media.
Shafer has been described by friends and family as a dedicated advocate for various Springfield organizations, including the Sierra and Faith Coalition for the Common Good, according to Illinois Public Radio.
"Trump-Noem publicity stunts do not make our communities safer or our immigration system smarter," Pritzker said in a statement.
- "Illinois doesn't need to abuse power or ignore the Constitution to keep our people safe. Like the millions of Americans asking for sensible, humane immigration reform, I encourage the Secretary to spend less time performing for Fox News and more time protecting the Homeland."
The other side: "Secretary Noem went to Illinois to join Angel families to call for an end to dangerous sanctuary city policies under JB Pritzker and bring attention to an at-large illegal alien murderer who has been evading justice for two years," assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Axios in a statement.