The parents of murder victim Emma Schafer, 24, have called out U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as “cruel and heartless.” The outrage comes from Noem relocating a speech she made in Illinois so that she could do it in front of the house that Schafer called home. Schafer, a community organizer, was fatally stabbed in July 2023 inside her Springfield apartment. Gabriel P. Calixto, the suspected killer, has never been caught.
Noem Gave a Speech At Schafer’s Home
Kristi Noem’s speech on Wednesday was scheduled to take place in front of the governor’s mansion, but instead Noem decided to move the location to outside of Schafer’s old home. In the speech, Noem criticized Illinois’s sanctuary status and attempted to use Schafer’s tragic death as an example of “migrant crime.” In her speech, Noem claimed that Calixto was in the country illegally.
Schafer’s Parents Speak Out
Noem’s comments drew a quick rebuke from Schafer’s parents, John Schafer and Cathy Schwartz. The bereaved and angry parents released a public statement just hours after Kristi Noem’s speech. “Our daughter Emma radiated love and light everywhere she went and for all people,” the parents said. “Even as a child, she was a friend to everyone and someone who spoke up for the less fortunate. She dedicated her life, her career, and her free time to causes of social justice and equity. That was just who she was.”
“To see her used by Secretary Noem and others to advance a cruel and heartless political agenda is not just deeply painful to us – it is an insult to her memory. Noem’s words are in direct conflict with who Emma was as a person. Emma built up the community and stood with all members, including immigrants.”
Parents Attend Protest
Schafer’s parents did not attend Kristi Noem’s speech instead, they joined a protest against Noem’s appearance in Springfield. They shared a video of the protest on social media that showed activists lining the streets demanding that Noem leave.
“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 parents’ statement continued.
“Secretary Noem, as parents still grieving the loss of a child, we beg you to stop. This is not who she was. This is not helping us. Her memory should live in all the people she touched and the causes that she fought for. We ask all of you to remember Emma as she was and to live your life as she did: with courageous empathy and love for all.”
Kristi Noem On Sanctuary Policy
During her speech, Noem argued that Illinois’s sanctuary policy had been “absolutely disastrous.” She also paid tribute to “angel families.” She added, “Now that we’ve given the American people the safest and most secure border in American history, we have to double down at removing dangerous criminals. President Trump has been focused on making sure that we’re going after the worst of the worst.”
Kristi Noem Attacks Governor
Noem went on to attack Governor JB Pritzker. “This governor has bragged about Illinois being a firewall against President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, and it is very clear that he has violating the Constitution of the United States because it is a federal law that the federal government and the president set and enforce immigration policies.”
Gov. Pritzker Responds
Pritzker later claimed that Noem moved the location of her speech because there were banners outside the governor’s mansion reading “Due Process For All!” and that she wanted to avoid protesters. Pritzker used the social media platform X to call Noem’s appearance a “publicity stunt.” He also advised her to “spend less time performing for Fox News and more time protecting the homeland. Unlike Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the law.”
“The Trump administration is violating the United States Constitution, denying people due process, and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – including children who are U.S. citizens. Yet, they are taking no real action to promote public safety and deport violent criminals within the clear and defined legal process,” Pritzker added.
