AOC Promotes Free College Tuition, Criticizes ICE
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushes for free public college while criticizing ICE during a student-focused town hall.
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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive Democrat from New York, addressed over 1,000 attendees at the ‘Students vs. Billionaires’ town hall in Ithaca, New York, on Sunday. The event, organized by More Perfect University, aimed to engage students from Cornell University and Ithaca College, though it was held at the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center, off-campus. Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, advocated for tuition-free public higher education as a means to curb rising costs at private institutions.
Free College Tuition as a Solution
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that establishing tuition-free public colleges and universities would provide an affordable alternative to private institutions, which she argued have seen runaway cost increases. She stated that this approach is not unrealistic, claiming it is ‘literally what baby boomers gave themselves.’ She pointed to the 1960s and 1970s, when public colleges were tuition-free, as historical evidence supporting her proposal.
Criticism of ICE and Law Enforcement
In addition to her educational policies, Ocasio-Cortez renewed her call to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), portraying the agency as an unaccountable force rather than a conventional law-enforcement entity. She warned that ICE is ‘Palantir, ICE is AI, ICE is facial recognition, ICE is surveillance,’ and claimed the agency is ‘coming after you, regardless of your status.’ She argued that suspected crimes should be addressed through the established justice system with due-process protections, rather than through deportation operations.
Political Ambitions and Community Action
Ocasio-Cortez urged her DSA supporters to build political power locally, asserting that ‘Washington, by and large, is bought and paid for.’ She emphasized that change begins when communities organize and hold municipal and state officials accountable. She also addressed campus activism and alleged efforts to suppress protesters, stating that ‘When we come out in numbers, they cannot take us all.’
The event took place amid growing speculation that Ocasio-Cortez may seek the presidency or challenge Sen. Chuck Schumer for his New York Senate seat in 2028, both of which she has said are under consideration.
Source: The Gateway Pundit
