Zuniga, Diana
From: JackieAngel Investor <
Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 6:19 PM
To: eComment
Cc: Vazquez, Benjamin
Subject: Callsgrowing for SantaAna mayor to resign, residents upset over response to ICE raids
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links.
Calls growing for Santa Ana mayor to resign, residents upset over response to ICE raids SANTA ANA, Calif. ( KABC) -- Mayor Valerie Amezcua is facing growing calls to resign over her response to the federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.
Hundreds of people attended Tuesday night' s City Council meeting to voice their frustration. The mayor was met with boos and yells and she entered the council chambers.
Community members are demanding that city officials do more to protect immigrants.
Last week, crowds gathered outside the federal building in Santa Ana to try and stop unmarked white vans supposedly carrying ICE detainees.
Homeland Security agents and police deployed tear gas, flash bangs and pepper balls amid the unrest.
https:// abc7. com/ post/ cal Is-growing- santa- ana-mayor- valerie- amezcua- resign- response- ice- raids/ 16781879/
i
Zuniga, Diana
From: Perez, Cassandra < [email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2025 10:48 AM
To: eComment
Cc: Nguyen, Ngoc
Subject: Rep. Correa: City of Santa Ana Council Meeting ( 07. 01. 25) Public Comment - Item 27 Attachments: Correa letter of support SantaAna reso FINAL.pdf, Documents Summaries.docx; Merged Document. pdf
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
Below is the language from Congressman Correa' s Public Comment and attached is the letter. Also attached is supporting documents and a summary of the documents.
Dear Madam Mayor and SantaAna City Councilmembers,
I write to expressmy support for Item 427, a resolution making a call to action regarding ICE immigration enforcement.
As the proud Representativeof the City of SantaAna, I standwith our immigrant community and have heard their concernsand fear over the escalationof force and rhetoric by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security.
This resolution sends a clear and reassuring message to our neighbors: that we value their contributions to Santa Ana and to this great nation.
The City of SantaAna is a tranquil andpeaceful community. It is the home of hard-working, law-abiding, tax- paying families. One month ago, masked individuals began to appear in our communities and started apprehending members of our community for deportation. These individuals claimed to be federal agents.
Many people who were forcefully detained and abductedfrom our streetsare lawful permanentresidents, U.S. citizens, or mistaken identities. Theseindividuals were grabbedandwere denied the due processrights guaranteedto them by the United StatesConstitution. The violent andbrutal methodsemployed by these masked andunidentified federal agentshave no precedentin SantaAna.
SantaAna residentswere rightfully concernedabout immigration enforcement raids in our community by unidentified and maskedindividuals indiscriminately and violently targeting neighbors. Justrecently, Narciso Barranco was working at his job when maskedagentsbrutally beat and detainedhim in SantaAna. Narciso has no criminal record, andhe is the proud father of three U. S. Marines. He' s a hard worker who was snatched away from his job and beatenon the ground. We honor people like Narciso, who raisedtheir children to love our great nation.
This is why Santa Ana residents are exercising their First Amendment right to protest peacefully.
At the same time, the White House ordered the National Guard into Santa Ana. Traditionally, the National Guard is activated upon a stategovernor, local police chief, or local sheriff' s call for aid to quell civil unrest or to respond to natural disaster.
i
Like many in our community, I was shocked— given that neither Orange County Sheriff Don Barnesnor Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez called for the National Guard or other federal agents to come to Santa Ana.
Up until today, both Chief Rodriguez and Sheriff Barnesinsist that the presenceof the National Guard was not necessary. The activation of the National Guard escalatedand inflamed the situation at theseprotests. Our local law enforcementsare adequatelytrained to de-escalate, protect the public, andrestore order.
I have expressedtheseconcernsto ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and called attention to incidents that have taken place at immigration courts across the country including incidents where masked, plainclothes ICE officers detainednon-violent, non-criminal immigrants immediately following the dismissal of their existing deportation casesby Department of Homeland Security attorneys. Most recently, I joined my colleaguesin Congressin introducing the No SecretPolice Act to require DHS officers to wear or display official insignia or uniforms in a mannerclearly visible to others, aswell asto prohibit DHS officers from wearing face coverings or any item that concealstheir face during detentionsor arrests.
To address the increase of ICE impersonations in our community, I am also working to introduce legislation to prohibit the unauthorized useand saleof Immigration and CustomsEnforcement appareland insignia.
Last month, I addressedDHS SecretaryKristi Noem during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing aboutthe Administration' s consistent violation of the law by denying dueprocessin ICE enforcementmatters. I cited specific casesof American born children who were deported alongsidetheir parents and denied accessto counsel.
I have and will continue fight back against anti- immigrant rhetoric and oppose DHS overreach. I offered amendments in both the House Judiciary Committee, as well as the House Homeland Security Committee, to the One Big Beautiful Bill( currently known asthe reconciliation bill) to prohibit ICE raids at elementary schools. I offered the same amendments to the Republican reconciliation bill on the House Floor, as well as amendmentspertaining to deportedveterans, unlawful third country removal, ICE raids at churches, and spousal deportations. I also joined my colleagues during an almost twenty hour long House Rules Committee hearing to testify and push for the inclusion of my amendmentsto the reconciliation bill.
Theseare only a few of my recent legislative actions in Washington, D.C. to protect our neighbors. I urge the Council to join me in expressing support and reassurance to our diverse community by passing this resolution.
Santa Ana continues to be a peaceful city, and so is the rest of Orange County. Our city is under assault_ We must be smart and decisive andtake strong actions to defend all of our residents.
This resolution is an important step in continuing to build trust, support families, and celebratethe diversity that defines Santa Ana. Thank you for consideration.
Sincerely,
J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress
Cassandra Perez I District Director
Office of Congressman J. Luis Correa( CA- 46)
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July 1, 2025
Dear Madam Mayor and SantaAna City Councilmembers,
I write to express my support for Item 927, a resolution making a call to action regarding ICE immigration enforcement.
As the proud Representative of the City of SantaAna, I stand with our immigrant community and have heard their concerns and fear over the escalation of force and rhetoric by the U. S.
Department of Homeland Security. This resolution sendsa clear and reassuring messageto our neighbors: that we value their contributions to SantaAna and to this great nation.
The City of SantaAna is a tranquil and peaceful community. It is the home of hard-working, law- abiding, tax- paying families. One month ago, masked individuals began to appear in our communities and started apprehending members of our community for deportation. These individuals claimed to be federal agents.
Many people who were forcefully detained and abducted from our streets are lawful permanent residents, U. S. citizens, or mistaken identities. These individuals were grabbed and were denied the due process rights guaranteed to them by the United StatesConstitution.
The violent and brutal methods employed by these masked and unidentified federal agents have no precedent in SantaAna.
SantaAna residents were rightfully concerned about immigration enforcement raids in our community by unidentified and masked individuals indiscriminately and violently targeting neighbors. Just recently, Narciso Barranco was working at his job when masked agents brutally beat and detained him in SantaAna. Narciso has no criminal record, and he is the proud father of three U. S. Marines. He' s a hard worker who was snatched away from his job and beaten on the ground. We honor people like Narciso, who raised their children to love our great nation.
This is why SantaAna residents are exercising their First Amendment right to protest peacefully.
At the sametime, the White House ordered the National Guard into SantaAna. Traditionally, the National Guard is activated upon a state governor, local police chief, or local sheriff' s call for aid to quell civil unrest or to respond to natural disaster.
Like many in our community, I was shocked— given that neither Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes nor Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez called for the National Guard or other federal agentsto come to SantaAna. Up until today, both Chief Rodriguez and Sheriff Barnes insist that the presence of the National Guard was not necessary. The activation of the National Guard escalated and inflamed the situation at these protests. Our local law enforcements are adequately trained to de-escalate, protect the public, and restore order.
I have expressedthese concerns to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and called attention to incidents that have taken place at immigration courts across the country including incidents where masked, plainclothes ICE officers detained non-violent, non-criminal immigrants immediately following the dismissal of their existing deportation casesby Department of Homeland Security attorneys. Most recently, I joined my colleagues in Congress in introducing the No Secret Police Act to require DHS officers to wear or display official insignia or uniforms in a manner clearly visible to others, aswell asto prohibit DHS officers from wearing face coverings or any item that conceals their face during detentions or arrests.
To addressthe increase of ICE impersonations in our community, I am also working to introduce legislation to prohibit the unauthorized use and sale of Immigration and Customs Enforcement apparel and insignia.
Last month, I addressedDHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing about the Administration' s consistent violation of the law by denying due process in ICE enforcement matters. I cited specific casesof American born children who were deported alongside their parents and denied accessto counsel.
I have and will continue fight back against anti- immigrant rhetoric and oppose DHS overreach. I offered amendments in both the House Judiciary Committee, aswell asthe House Homeland Security Committee, to the One Big Beautiful Bill ( currently known asthe reconciliation bill) to prohibit ICE raids at elementary schools. I offered the same amendments to the Republican reconciliation bill on the House Floor, as well as amendments pertaining to deported veterans, unlawful third country removal, ICE raids at churches, and spousal deportations. I also joined my colleagues during an almost twenty hour long House Rules Committee hearing to testify and push for the inclusion of my amendments to the reconciliation bill.
These are only a few of my recent legislative actions in Washington, D.C. to protect our neighbors. I urge the Council to join me in expressing support and reassuranceto our diverse community by passing this resolution.
SantaAna continues to be a peaceful city, and so is the rest of Orange County. Our city is under assault. We must be smart and decisive and take strong actions to defend all of our residents.
This resolution is an important step in continuing to build trust, support families, and celebrate the diversity that defines SantaAna. Thank you for consideration.
Sincerely,
J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress
Document Summaries
1. 2025-06-05 Letter to Sec. Noem and Acting ICE Director on courtroom dismissalsand ICE arrests
2. 2025- 04- 29 Letter to CBP and ICE on mistreatment at ports of entry
3. 2025-06-13Letter to Rep. Green demandinghearing on Sen. Padilla arrest at DHS event
4. 2025- 06- 23 Letter to Sec. Noem on illegal obstruction of congressional oversight at ICE facilities
5. 2025-04-10Letter to Sec. Noem and Acting ICE Director on opposition of IFR immigration registration forms
6. 2025-06-13Letter to Rep. Green demandinghearing on Sen. Padilla arrest at DHS event
7. 2025-03-28 Letter to Rep. Greenrequesting Sec. Noem oversight hearing on DHS structural changes
8. 2025- 06- 13 Letter to Sec. Noem on illegal obstruction of congressional oversight at ICE facilities
9. 2024- 04- 25 Letter to ICE and USCIS on concerns about LAUSD school raids and consular notification failures
10. 2025-06-27 Correaletter to Sec. Noem requesting data andinformation concerning ICE detentions and arrests
11. 2025-05-07 Homeland Security Committee Minority Dissenting Views on reconciliation package
12. 2025-06-23 Letter to Sec. Hegseth, Attorney General Bondi, and Sec. Noem on President Trump' s unauthorized deployment of California National Guard in L. A.
13. 2025- 04- 11 Letter to Sec. Noem on immigration enforcement activity in LAUSD schools
14. 2025- 06- 10 Letter to President Trump re: unauthorized California National Guard deployment in L. A.
15. 2025-05-06 Letter to DHS Inspector General demanding investigation into immigration facilities in Louisiana
16. 2025- 05- 21 Rules Committee testimony on Correa amendments
17. 2025- 06- 16 Letter to Leader Thune & Speaker Johnson re: Sen. Padilla incident
18. 2025- 06- 25 Torres letter to GAO reinforcing complaint re: Roybal Building
19. 2025- 06- 27 Correa floor speech on Narciso Barranco ICE detention in Santa Ana
20. 2025-05-14 Correa Homeland Security Committee remarks to Sec. Noem
21. 2025-06-25 H. Res. 543 Right to protest and condemnationof federal overreach
22. 2025- 05- 19 Correa amendment on limitation of use of funds for deportation of veterans
23. 2025- 05- 19 Correa amendment on limitation of use of funds for immigration enforcement action at elementary schools
24. 2025-05-20 Correa amendmenton prohibiting deportation of individuals to countries other than their country of origin
25. 2025-05-29 Correa amendmenton prohibiting DHS deportationsof undocumented individuals who are spouses of active duty servicemembers Congreo of the Uniteb 6tateq
Va5bington, W 20515
June 5, 2025
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D. C. 20528
Mr. Todd M. Lyons
Acting Director
U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Washington, D. C. 20024
Dear SecretaryNoem and Acting Director Lyons:
We write to express grave concern over the disturbing pattern of Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) operations taking place at immigration courts across the country including recent incidents in New York City where masked, plainclothes ICE officers detainednon-violent, non-criminal immigrants immediately following the dismissal of their existing deportation cases by DHS attorneys.'
Over the past week, we havewitnessedfederal agentslying in wait outside courtrooms, detaining individuals as they leave their hearings upon the expectation that their immigration proceedings often including asylum applications have beendismissedupon the government's request.' These mass arrests are part of what Trump administration officials have confirmed is a nationwide effort to terminate ongoing removal casesand reroute people into fast-tracked expedited" removal proceedings, usually without counsel, dueprocess, or any specific case-by- case analysis.'
By terminating ongoing removal proceedings, any pending asylum claim is renderedvoid, thereby creating a potentially short window to quickly deport immigrants who havepreviously applied for asylum, which, as you well know, is a legal pathway to enter the United States. It also bears emphasizing that asylum is not available to individuals convicted of serious crimes or deemed a danger to the security of the United States, meaning that those asserting asylum claims in immigration court areunlikely to have criminal backgrounds and areinstead seeking protection under U. S. law.'
Recent reports indicate that the Trump administration is pressuring federal agencies to triple the number of daily immigration arrestsaspart of a sweepingpush to achievethe arbitrary number Tracey Tully and Zolan Kanno- Youngs, " ICE Courthouse Arrests Face New Scrutiny Amid Legal Challenges," New York Times, May 30, 2025, https:// www. nvtimes. com/ 2025/ 05/ 30/ us/ politics/ ice- courthouse- arrests. htmi 2 Id.
3CamilioMontoya-GalvezandNidiaCavazos, "ICEEndingMigrants'CourtCasesin Orderto ArrestandMoveto Deport Them," CBS News, May 23, 2025 https:// www. cbsnews. com/ news/ ice- ending- migrants- court- cases- arrest move- to- deport- them/
4 Priscilla Alvarez, Evan Perez, Sean Lyngaas and Holmes Lybrand, " White House Pushes for Increased Immigration Arrests by Lae Enforcement Agencies," CNN, May 29, 2025, https:// www. cnn. com/ 2025/ 05/ 29/ politics/ white- house- imm igration- arrests- law- enforcement- agencies
of 1 million deportations a year. This effort has led to the reassignment of FBI agents, U. S.
Marshals, DEA, and CBP officers to immigration enforcement duties ultimately straining national security resources, diverting attention away from investigating seriouscrimes, and raising real concerns about the public safety priorities of this administration.' During Secretary Noem' s confirmation hearing, you stated that DHS " would work every day to make sure people are safe and that those with criminal convictions are immediately removed." 6 However, it is clear that ICE is now targeting immigrants with no criminal history, many of whom are asylum seekers, paroleesadmitted through lawful processes, and studentslike Dylan a 20-year-old Bronx high schoolerwho was detainedafter attending his court hearing alone and without a lawyer. He has since been transferred across four states, denied medical treatment, and cut off from legal representation.' Dylan enteredthe United Stateslawfully in 2024, enrolled in public school, had employment authorization, and had no criminal record at the time of his detainment.
This new policy, designedto meet an arbitrary quota of deportations, is not targeting criminals the" worst of the worst" as administration officials have repeatedly claimed ' but instead is surreptitiously and deceptively aimed at thosewho arefollowing the rules, voluntarily appearing in court, and doing it the right way. This policy neither targets criminals nor makesthe public safer.
Instead, this policy creates perverse incentives for immigrants who are pursuing lawful pathways into our country and will encourageimmigrants to go further underground and avoid following the lawful and official immigration process. This will not only result in the loss of tax and social security revenue contributed by asylum- seekers eligible for work authorization but will lead to greater disorder and public safety concerns. When combined with diverting significant law enforcement resources to arrests of non- violent immigrants instead of violent felons, the impact of this new policy makes our communities less safe.
The United Statesis a nation founded by immigrants that hasbenefited immensely from immigration. As a democracygroundedin the principles of due processand equalprotection under the law, the use of courthouse ambush tactics not only undermines those principles but directly contradicts the Department' s stated mission to uphold the law with integrity. 5 "
Kristi Nome Testifies at Senate Confirmation Hearing," Rev.com, accessed May 30, 2025, https:// www. rev. com/ transcripteditor/ shared/ QmAMnvocJpXkMLCFO3o9JK49iQCUHBKmns9lem* xa RSkEmQtFXQ yzzPBVWeJ EQI6YbRX6hnbF- YxQfnrAYC5ow2d Qs? load From= Pasted Deepl ink& ts= 6383. 88 6MarciaKramer, "NewYorkCityPublicSchoolStudentDetainedby ICEat AsylumHearing," CBSNewsNewYork, May 27, 2025, https:// www. cbsnews. com/ newyork/ news/ nvc- high- school- student- immigrant- detained- ice/ See, e.g., Exec. Order No. 14159, 90 Fed. Reg. 8443( Jan. 20, 2025) ( noting focus of immigration enforcement on those " who threaten the safety or security of the American people"); REUTERS,Trump to appoint former ICE director Tom Homan as US` border czar' ( Nov. 11, 2024), https:// www. reuters. com/ world/ us/ trump- appointformer- ice- director- tom- homan- countrys- border- czar- 2024- 11- 11/ (" Tom Homan... said on Monday he would prioritize deporting immigrants in the United States illegally who pose threats to public safety and national security"); The Department of Homeland Security' s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026: Hearing Before the Senate Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs( May 20, 2025) ( Statement of Sec. Kristi Noem) (" once again, the United States is enforcing immigration laws to arrest, identify, detain and remove dangerous illegal alien criminals. We' re prioritizing those that are a public safety threat to people, especially those who are affiliated with the terrorist organizations MS- 13 and Tren de Aragua."). 8 8 U. S. C.§ 1158
Accordingly, aspart of Congress's constitutional obligation to conduct oversight of the Department, we demandwritten responsesto the following questionsno later than June 19, 2025:
1. What specific guidance has DHS issued regarding the dismissal of ongoing court cases, followed by immediate ICE detention and expedited removal? Please provide all email communications, memoranda, legal justification, and written notes of relevant meetings.
This includes any relevant material that mentions how the Department of Justice ( DOJ) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review( EOIR) will coordinate and cooperate with enforcement operations.
2. What criteria is DHS using to determinewhich individuals should be targeted by this new policy?
3. How many individuals have been detained nationwide following court case dismissals sinceMay 1, 2025? Pleaseprovide abreakdown by stateand court locations.
Of thosewho have been detained andplaced in expeditedremoval, how many (if any) had an affirmative asylum application pending or hadinformed the court of their intention to pursue other legal relief with United StatesCitizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS)?
Of thosewho have been detained andplaced in expeditedremoval, how many (if any) have criminal convictions in the United States? Please provide relevant information about those cases and individuals.
4. Are immigration judges being tracked for how they handle thesecases? If so, for what specific purpose?
5. For every detaineewho had previously filed an asylum claim or otherjuvenile or family- based relief, please provide any and all information about whether and to what extent they received a credible fear screeningunder the expedited removal process.
6. What specific guidance (if any) hasDHS issued, including any guidanceinvolving the Department of Justice, about restricting observers in courtrooms or on the court premises?
7. What written guidance ( if any) has DHS issued about agents wearing masks during enforcement operations?
We urge DHS to immediately suspendenforcement actions targeting noncriminal immigrants and individuals who are actively complying with our immigration laws.
We look forward to your prompt and forthright response.
Sincerely,
Dan Goldman Bennie G. Thompson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Ranking Member, Committee
on Homeland Security
J. Luis Correa Se Magazine
Member of Congress ember of Congress
Eric Swalwell Delia C. Ramirez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
bAl onica McIver Robert Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Shri Thanedar roy A. Carter, Sr.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Julie Johnson TimothyNY. Kennedy
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Pablo J e Hernandez Mmie Raskin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Pramila Jayapal rrold Nadler
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Henry C. " Han ' Johnson, Jr. Mary Gay Scanlon
Member of Congress Member of Congress
oe Lofgren Jasmi rockett
Member of Congress Memb&jof Congress
Ted W. Lieu SydAy& mlagQWove
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Deborah K. Ross Becca Balint
Member of Congress Member of Congress
o uin Castro G - tsar
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez Veronica Escobar
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Madeleine Dean Cleo
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Eleanor Holmes Norton Val Hoyle
Member of Congress Member of Congress
MARK TAKANO Kevin Mullin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
SuiGhne Bonamici Andr'& Parson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Nydi . Velazquez Sylvia R. Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J n chakowsky ette D. Clarke
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Danny K. gavis ark Pocan
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Nanette Diaz Barragan race eng
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Adriano Espaillat Derek T. Tran
Member of Congress Member of Congress
A-gea Williams Shontel M. Brownm
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Joe Courtney Diana DeGette
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Debbie Wasserman Schult RobertJ. Menendez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
enn Ivey U Betty c ollum
Member of Congress Member of Congress
April McClain Delaney Paul D. Tonko
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Maxine Dexter
te
Jac
sMemberof Congress be f Congress
ry W. Meeks Lauren Underwood
Member of Congress Member of Congress
George i er Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Bonnie Watson Coleman YdwamSmith
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Frank Pallone, Jr. Dina Titus
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Seth Moulton J sus G. " Chuy" Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Sa is rdo JaliAna Hayes
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Linda T. Sanchez Andrea Salinas
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Luz- NfAivas Dave in
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Ritchie Torres JyVny Go ez
Member of Congress ember of Congress
Suza . DelBene James P. McGovern
Member of Congress Member of Congress
S ephen F. Lyrfch i anetta
Member of Congress mb r of Congress
Mike Quigley 4001VMike Levin
Member of Cong ss Member of Congress
Julia Brownley ohm Garamendi
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JtA Vargas David Scott
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Congress,5 of the aniteb * tate. 5
Va bingtou, ;D(f 20513
April 29, 2025
Pete R. Flores Mr. Todd Lyons
Acting Commissioner Acting Director
U. S. Customs and Border Patrol U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 3. 5A 500 12th St. NW Washington, DC 20229 Washington, DC 20536
Dear Acting Commissioner Flores and Acting Director Lyons, We write regarding our concerns about Customs and Border Protection' s (CBP) conduct at ports of entry across the country. Over the past two months, we have seen a series of troubling reports alleging dueprocessviolations, mistreatment, prolonged detention, andpoliticized denials of entry at air and land ports. We urge CBP to ensure that its agents properly respect travelers' rights and ask that CBP provide information for us to better understand the agency' s evolving practices.
Upon taking office, President Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS) to ensurethat all aliens seekingadmission to the United States, or who are alreadyin the United States, are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible."' In response, CBP appears to have begun not only denying entry more often, but also subjecting travelers to harsher questioning tactics, prolonged detention, and arbitrary denials of entry' turning ordinary international travel into a nightmarish ordeal for tourists, businesstravelers, lawful permanent residents ( LPRs, also known as " green card" holders), and even U. S. citizens. These incidents appearto be a sharpdeparturefrom CBP' s normal practices. Reviewing a string of recent incidents, former CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said: " I can' t remember anything quite that extreme."'
There have been multiple recent reports of CBP officers allegedly mistreating people in their custody. On March 7, a green card holder returning to the United States reportedly was violently interrogated" at an airport including being strip-searched, forced into a cold White House, "Protecting The United StatesFrom Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats," January 20, 2025, hops:// www. wliitchouse. og_v/ presidential- actions/ 2025/ 01/ protecting- the- united- states-from- foreign- terrorists- and- othernational- security- and-public- safety- threats/._ z
Washington Post," Entering the U. S.? Here areyour rights at airports and border crossings," Daniel Wu, March 21, 2025, hops:// www. wasliin lgloppost.com/ travel/ 2025/ 03/ 21/ travelers- entering- united- states- rights/. 3 Wall Street Journal," Border Agents Use More Aggressive Tactics to Question Visa Holders, Tourists," Tarim Parti and Michelle Hackman, March 20, 2025, https://www. wsj.com/politics/ policy/ border-agents-use-more- agg essive- tactics- to- question- visa- holders- tourists- 067afbf4? st= RgPTwK& reflink= article_ email_ share. shower, and denied access to his medications.' His mother reported that"[ h] e hardly got anything to drink," collapsed, andwas later transportedby ambulanceto the hospital.' Even U. S. citizens have reported being detained andmistreatedby CBP in recent weeks.' For example, on February 18, a U. S. citizen reportedly was handcuffed, chained to a bench, and subjectedto a humiliating body search" after asking CBP officials why her partner, a German national with whom she was traveling, was being detained.' On March 8, CBP detained two American children and their immigrant mother for five days, during which time the children developed a fever and cough, in an ordeal that the family said " felt like a kidnapping."' And this month, an American attorney was questionedfor over 90 minutes asCBP soughtto searchhis phone, which he believes was prompted by " an attempt by the Trump Administration to ` chill' his] work on behalf of defendants." 9 Similar incidents have occurred at other locations. 10 In addition, in somerecent cases, reports indicate that CBP may have violated travelers' due process rights. In one incident, an H- 113visa holder was deported on a flight after a federal judge' s order that" the petitioner shall not be moved outsidethe District of Massachusetts without providing the Court 48 hours' advance notice of the move and the reason therefor."" CBP claimed not to have seen the order before the deportation;' that claim is currently being litigated.13In anotherrecentcase, CBPrevokedthevisaof aU.S. universityresearcherbecause she did not declare an item in her baggage at customs the penalty for which is generally a 4 Great Blue Hills News," Green card holder from New Hampshire ` interrogated' at Logan Airport, detained," Sarah Betancourt, March 14, 2025, https://www. w bgh.org/news/local/ 2025-03- 14/green-card-holder-from- new- hampshire- interrogated- at- logan- airport- detained.
Id.; The Verge," The airport panopticon is getting people deported and detained," Gaby Del Valle, March 19, 2025, https:// www. thever egcom/polia/ 632843/cbp-phone-search-airport- arrest-mass-deportations.
See, e. g., NHPR,"` Felt like a kidnapping': Wrong turn leads to 5-day detention ordeal," Jasmine Garsd and Joel Rose, March 26, 2025, https:// www. nWr. org/ 2025- 03- 26/ felt- like- a-kidnapping- wrong- turn- leads- to- 5-da - detention- ordeal; New York Times," German Tourists Detained for Weeks, Then Deported From U. S.," Lynsey Chutel, March 13, 2025, https:// www. Mtimes. com/ 2025/ 03/ 13/world/ curope/ gerivan- tourists- detained- deported. html.
Id.
NHPR,"` Felt like a kidnapping': Wrong turn leads to 5- day detention ordeal," Jasmine Garsd and Joel Rose, March 26, 2025, https:// www. nWr. org/ 2025- 03- 26/ felt- like- a-kidnapping- wrong- turn- leads- to- 5-day- detention- ordeal.
9WXYZ Detroit," Immigrationattorneysayshewasdetained,targetedatDetroitMetro Airport," GlendaLewis, April 9, 2025, hUs:// www. wxvz. com/ news/ immigration- attorney- says-he-was- detained- targeted- at- detroit- metro- airport; Washington Post," Border agents ask lawyer with pro- Palestinian client to give up phone," Gaya Gupta and Angie Orellana Hernandez, April 8, 2025, https:// www. wasliingloppost. com/ nation/ 2025/ 04/ 08/ micliigan- lawyer- border- phone/.
10See, e.g., Boston Globe, " Mass. lawyer and his wife saythey were handcuffed, detainedfor hours at Canada border: ` It was a shock,"' Claire Thornton, April 19, 2025, https:// www. bostonglobe. com/ 2025/ 04/ 19/ metro/ mass- lawyer- wife- detained- at- Canada-border- in- vennont/? event= eventl2; NBC News," Deported family of U. S. citizen girl recovering from brain surgery alleges civil rights abusesin new complaint," Nicole Acevedo, March 17,2025, https:// www. nbcnews. com/ news/ latino/ deported- family- us- citizen- girl- brain- surgery- alleges- abuse- rcnal 96705.
Order, Alawiehv. Noem, 25- cv- 10614 ( D. Mass. March 14, 2025), https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mad.282017/gov.uscourts.mad.282017.4.0.pdf.
Politico," Deported Brown University professor had photos of Hezbollah leaders on her phone, DOJ says," Josh Gerstein, March 17, 2025, https:// www. politico. com/ news/ 2025/ 03/ 17/rasha- alawich- deportation- O26038.
Alawiehv. Noem, 25- cv- 10614( D. Mass. March 17, 2025), ECF No. 19, https:// www. courtlistener. com/ docket/ 69741237/ chchab- v- noem/. 2 monetary fine and seizureof the item, rather than the revocation of legal status.14Meanwhile, someindividuals in CBP custody allegedly have beenpressuredto voluntarily abandontheir LPR status without access to counsel," or havebeendenied a translator,16despite CBP' spolicy of" provid[ ing] interpretive serviceswhere appropriate."17 Furthermore, CBP appearsto be transferring travelers with increasing frequency to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) for prolonged periods of detention. For example, the researchermentioned abovewas detainedby CBP on February 16 andwas then transferred to ICE' s custody in Louisiana where she has now been held for almost two months.
18 Additionally, on January25, a Germantourist was stoppedby border agentsand, for no clear reason, was transferred to a notorious ICE detention center, where she remained for six weeks including nine daysin solitary confinement.19Similar caseshave involved a backpacker from Wales who was recently detained for three weeks, and a Canadian with a U. S. work visa who was detainedfor twelve days after attempting to return to the United Statesfor work. 20
We are also concerned that CBP appears to be more frequently searching travelers' phones and sometimesdenying entry after finding evidence of their political opinions on their devices.
According to CBP, it searches mobile phones and other electronic devices only " on rare occasions,"" and in fiscal year 2024, CBP officials searched . 01% of travelers' devices." But early indications from this Administration suggest that number is on the rise23 as are allegations of politicized denials of entry. For example, CBP recently blocked the entry of a 14 19 U. S. C. § 1497; 19 CFR§ 148. 18.
Newsweek," Green Card Holders Warned Against Leaving the United States," Nick Mordowanec, March 20, 2025, hUs:// www. newsweek. com/ green- cards- immigration- border- cbp- dhs- warning- leave- country- risk- 2047844.
New York Times," German Tourists Detained for Weeks, Then Deported From U. S.," Lynsey Chutel, March 13, 2025, hUs:// www. nytimes.com/2025/03/13/world/ curope/gennan-tourists-detained-deported.html. 17U.S.Departmentof HomelandSecurity,"LanguageAccessPlan,"February28, 2012, https:// www. dhs. gov/ xlibraiy/ assets/crcl/ crcl- dhs- language- access- plan. pdf; U. S. Customs and Border Protection, Supplementary Language AccessPlan," February 7, 2020, https://www. dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/ cbp- updated- language- access- plan- 2020. pdf.
18Great Blue Hills News," Harvard scientist with valid visa detained for bringing frog embryos to Logan Airport," SarahBetancourt, March 28, 2025, https://www. w bgh.org/news/local/ 2025-03-28/harvard-scientist-with- valid- visa- detained- for- brin ' ngig-frog embryos- to- logan airport; Boston. com," A Harvard scientist from Russia has been detainedby ICE since February for failing to declarefrog embryos," Beth Treffeisen, March 28, 2025, https://www. boston.com/news/local- news/2025/03/28/a-harvard-scientist-from- russia-has-been-detained-by-ice- since- february- for- failing- to- declare- frog- embryos/; Office of U. S. Senator Adam Schiff, Letter to DHS and ICE regarding Russian citizen and Harvard Medical School researcher,March 31, 2025, https:// www. schiff. senate. ogv/ wp- content/ uploads/ 2025/ 03/ 03. 31. 2025- Letter- on- Kseniia- Petrova- Schiff. pdf. 19 New York Times," German Tourists Detained for Weeks, Then Deported From U. S.," Lynsey Chutel, March 13, 2025, hUs:// www. nytimes.com/2025/03/13/world/ curope/gennan-tourists-detained-deported.httnl. 20 PB S News," U. S. detention of European and Canadian tourists creates fear over traveling to America," Julie Watson, March 21, 2025, hUs:// www. pbs. org/ newshour/ world/ u- s-detention- of- European- and- canadian- tourists- creates-fear-over-traveling- to- america; New York Times," Canadian Who Was in an` American Pie' Video Says ICE Held Her for 12 Days," Neil Vigdor, March 18, 2025, https:// www. nytimes. com/ 2025/ 03/ 18/us/ moony- canadian- american- pie- actress- ice. html.
21 U. S. Customs and Border Protection," Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry," January 7, 2025, https:// www. cbp. gov/ travel/ cbp- search- authopAy/ border- search- electronic- devices.
U. S. Customs and Border Protection," Border Searches of Electronics at Ports of Entry: FY2024 Statistics," November 2024, https:// www. cbp. gov/ sites/ default/ files/ 2024- 11/ Border% 20Search% 20of/` 20Electronics% 20at 20Ports% 20of%o20Entry% 20FY% 2024% 20 Statistics% 20% 28508% 29.pdf. 3 French scientist traveling for a conference; according to the French government, agents denied entry becauseof the traveler' sphone messagesthat" expresseda personal opinion on the Trump administration' s research policies."
24 Trump Administration officials deny that claim."
CBP' s tactics, along with other Trump Administration policies, appear to be contributing to a decline in travel to the United States.
26 Multiple countries including Canada, the United
Kingdom, Germany, Finland, and Denmark have warned their citizens against travel to the United States.' Airlines arepreparing for reduced travel into the country by canceling routes and adjusting their earningsexpectations.28Travelers are canceling trips,29suchasone recently detainedtraveler and his American fiance who arerethinking plans to hold their wedding in the United States and believe "[ n]obody is safethere anymore to come to America asa tourist." 30 Reducedtravel will lead to lost jobs, lost profits for American businesses, and lost revenuefor the nation. 31
This trend may soon worsen. The Trump Administration is reportedly considering a travel ban that would impose travel restrictions on up to 43 countries,32which may prompt CBP officers to adopt harsher vetting tactics, even with travelers from other countries. 23USA Today," Yes, border control can go through your phone. Here's what travelers should know," Kathleen Wong, March 21, 2025, https://www. usatoday.com/stoiy/ travel/news/2025/03/21/border-control- phone-search/ 82594653007/.
24 CNN," US denies French claims a space researcher was expelled over messages about Trump," Saskya Vandoorne, March 20, 2025, hUs:// www. cnn.com/2025/03/20/curope/french- researcher-expelled-trump- intl- latam/ index. html.
25Id
26 New York Times,"` Trump Slump' Looms as Foreign Visitors Rethink Travel to U. S.," Ceylan Yeginsu March 26, 2025, https:// www. Mtimes. com/ 2025/ 03/ 26/ travel/ foreign- travel- to- united- states- tru=. htnil. 2'
National Public Radio," Some European countries and Canada issue advisories for travelers to the U. S.," Chandelis Duster, March 26, 2025, https:// www. npr. org/ 2025/ 03/ 22/ nx- sl- 5336792/ european- countries- canada- travel- warnings- us.
28Wall Street Journal," Airlines' Dreams of a Banner Year Are Over," Alison Sider, April 9, 2025, https:// www. wsj. com/ business/ airlines/ airlines- dreams- of- a-banner- year- are- over- 5e494efd? st= FzPPLU& reflink= article email share; New York Times,"` Trump Slump' Looms asForeign Visitors Rethink Travel to U. S.," Ceylan Yeginsu
March 26, 2025, https:// www. Mtimes. com/ 2025/ 03/ 26/ tmvel/ foreign- travel- to- united- states- tru=. htnil. 29 New York Times,"` Trump Slump' Looms as Foreign Visitors Rethink Travel to U. S.," Ceylan Yeginsu March 26, 2025, https:// www. Mtimes. com/ 2025/ 03/ 26/ tmvel/ foreign- travel- to- united- states- tru=. htnil.
PB S News," U. S. detention of European and Canadian tourists creates fear over traveling to America," Julie Watson, March 21, 2025, hUs:// www. pbs.org/newshour/world/ u-s-detention-of- european-and-canadian-tourists- creates- fear- over- traveling- to- america.
National Public Radio," Immigration officers are becoming` extreme' in how they vet travelers entering the U. S.," Ayesha Rascoe,March 23, 2025, https://www. npr.org/2025/03/23/nx- sl- 5335623/immigration- officers- are- becoming- extreme- in- how- they- vet- travelers- entering- the- u- s#:-: text= Border% 20officials% 20might% 20ask 20the, sent% 20to% 20U. S.% 20detention% 20centers; PBS News," U. S. detention of European and Canadian tourists createsfear over traveling to America," Julie Watson, March 21, 2025, https:// www. pb s.org/ newshour/ world/ u- s-detention- of- european- and- Canadian- tourists- create s-fear- over- traveling- to- america; Forbes," Canadian Travel Boycott Of U. S. Could Cost$ 2. 1 Billion, U. S. Travel Association Warns," Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, February 3, 2025,
https:// www. forbes. com/ sites/ suzannerowankelleher/ 2025/ 02/ 03/ canadian- travel- boycott- of- usa- 2- billion/. 32New York Times,"Draft List for New TravelBanProposesTrumpTarget43 Countries," CharlieSavageandKen Bensinger, March 14, 2025, https:// www. Mtimes. com/ 2025/ 03/ 14/us/politics/ trump- travel- ban. html. 4 To help the American public and the one million travelers entering the United States each day33 better understandrecent changesin CBP' s practices, we requestanswersto the following questions by May 14, 2025:
1. What steps is CBP taking to ensure that it promptly complies with time- sensitive court orders staying deportations?
2. Pleaseprovide the number of complaints regarding officer misconduct received by CBP for each of January, February, and March, and April 2025, along with data on the median number of monthly complaints for eachof the past five years.
3. Given personnel cuts at DHS' s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and other DHS watchdog offices,34what stepswill CBP take to ensurerobust, independentoversight of its compliance with civil rights requirements such asthose related to due process, freedom of speech, and prohibitions on discrimination?
4. Please provide a copy of any policy documents related to questioning and vetting of travelers with valid travel documents, including those with lawful permanentresidency, a valid visa, or a valid U. S. passport.
a. Pleaseprovide any policy documentson when agentsmay requestthat a lawful permanent resident abandon their status.
5. Please provide a copy of any policy documents related to basic and advanced searches of electronic devices, beyond CBP Directive 3340- 049A,
35 including on CBP' s policy
regarding when content found on an electronic device can be the basis of denying entry into the United States.
6. Pleaseprovide the number of travelers whose electronic devices CBP has searchedfor each of January, February, and March, and April 2025, along with the reasons logged, if any, and data on the median number of device searchesby CBP for eachof the past five years, disaggregated by nationality.
7. Please provide the number of travelers arriving at U. S. ports of entry who have been transferred from CBP to ICE custody for eachof January, February, and March, and April 2025, along with data on the median number of monthly transfers of travelers from CBP to ICE custody for eachof the past five years, disaggregatedby nationality and by reason( s) given, if any. Over the past month:
a. What has been the median duration of detention for those travelers? b. How much has ICE spent to detain those travelers?
ssU. S. Customs and Border Patrol," Know Before You Visit," last modified September 27, 2024, https:// www. cbp. gov/ travel/ international- visitors/ know- before- you- visit. 34 National Public Radio," Homeland Security makes cuts to civil rights and immigration oversight offices," Ximena Bustillo, March 21, 2025, https:// www. npr. org/ 2025/ 03/ 21/ nx- sl- 5336738/ homeland- security- iif- cuts- dhs.
U. S. Customs and Border Protection," CBP Directive: Border Search Of Electronic Devices," January 4, 2018, https:// www. cbp. gov/ sites/ default/ files/ assets/documents/ 2018- Jan/CBP- Directive- 3340- 049A- Border- Search- of- Electronic- Media- Compliant. pdf.
5 8. Please provide the number of U. S. citizens CBP has detained for each of January, February, and March, and April 2025, along with data on the median number of U. S. citizens detained by CBP for each of the past five years, disaggregated by nationality, race/ethnicity, and by reasonsgiven, if any.
9. Pleaseshareany policies or directives regarding the use of expeditedremoval in cases involving visa holders at ports of entry.
10. Please share the number of visa holders who were subjected to expedited removal, the number of visa holders who were admitted, and the number of visa holders who withdrew applications for admission, disaggregated by country of origin and port of entry, for each of January, February, andMarch, and April 2025.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Eliz beth Warren J. Luis Correa
United States Senator Member of Congress
Richard Blumenthal Delia C. Ramirez
United States Senator Member of Congress
Richard J. Durbin Henry C. " Han . Johnson, Jr.
United States Senator Member of Congress
Jasmi rockett Madeleine Dean
Memb f Congress Member of Congress
6 Rashida Tlaib TimothyNY. Kennedy
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Sylvia R. Garcia Eleanor Holmes Norton
Member of Congress Member of Congress
bAlonica McIver Betty c ollum
Member of Congress Member of Congress
James P. McGovern Andr' rson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Kevin Mullin Ted W. Lieu
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Robert Garcia Shri Thanedar
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez Paul D. Tonko
Member of Congress Member of Congress
7 4ar
Ja s Pramila Jayapal
e be f Congress Member of Congress
Nanette Diaz Barragan Nqja
Krishntongress
moorthi
Member of Congress Member of
ohn Garamendi samin Ansari
Member of Congress Wmber of Congress
Dan Goldman Marilyn Strickland
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JiYy Chu U Costa
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Chris Van Hollen JUAVargas
United States Senator Member of Congress
Peter Welch G sar
United States Senator Member of Congress
8 Becca Balint Mmie Raskin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J y Go ez Mazie K. Hirono
T-vYember of Congress United States Senator
Bennie G. Thompson Cleo
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Mary Gay Scanlon Frederica S. Wilson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Bernard Sanders EdwardJ. Markey
United States Senator United States Senator
roy A. Carter, Sr. Brian Schatz
Member of Congress United States Senator
Summer L. Lee Alex P dilla
Member of Congress United States Senator
9 Cc: Rodney Scott, Nominee for CBP Commissioner
10 MART( E GREEN. MD. TE' NNESSEE DOME¢, TMOMP501Y. MISSMSIPVI IUU
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June 13, 2025
The Hon. Mark Green
Chairman
Committee on Homeland Security
U. S. House of Representatives
1-12-176 Ford House Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Chairman Green:
This letter servesto formalize the demand made yesterday by multiple Committee Democrats that you, prior to your upcoming departure from Congress, summon the Secretaryof Homeland Security to testify about the egregioustreatment of SenatorAlex Padilla during a Department of Homeland Security ( DHS or the Department) press conference at a Federal building in Los Angeles, California.' This marks the second occasion that law enforcement entities within the Department have used force to obstruct congressional oversight,' and one in a series of instances in which the Department has refused to comply with oversight requests.' The Department' s actions are an affront not only to congressionalprerogatives afforded by the Constitution but also to rule of law and democracyitself. The Committee must not standby idly.
As you are likely aware, SecretaryKristi Noem has an abysmalrecord of responding to inquiries and document requests from Capitol Hill. On Thursday afternoon, Senator Padilla attempted to participate in an event at a Federal building in order to engagethe Secretary on the aggressive and unlawful tactics the Trump administration has used against residents of California in recent weeks. In addition to sweeping, indiscriminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) i NnamdiEgwuonwu,Sen.Alex Padilla DisputesTrumpAdministration'sAccountof His ForcibleRemovalat a DHS Event, MSNBC( Jun. 12, 2025), https://www. nbcnews.com/politics/ congress/sen-alex-padilla- disputes-trump- administrations- account- incident- led- f- rcna212760.
See Steve Strunsky, FedsAre Lying About Members of Congress Storming ICE Center, Congresswoman Says, NJ.com ( May 12, 2025), https://www. nj.com/essex/2025/05/feds-are-lying- about-members-of- congress-storming- ice- center- congresswoman- says. html.
sEduardoCuevas,ICE DeniesAccessof CrowdedDetentionFacilities,LawmakersSay, USATODAY(Jun. 11, 2025), https://www. usatoday.com/stoiy/ news/nation/2025/06/11/ice-denies-migrant-detention-oversight/ 84140938007/.
raids targeting non- criminal migrants,' the administration deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles— against the will of California' s Governor— to silence protestors. s
Understandably, the people of California are outraged. SenatorPadilla was doing his job when he attempted to communicate their outrage to Secretary Noem and ask questions about the administration' s brazen actions in the State. Unfortunately, despite being brought into the briefing room by law enforcement, being identified by law enforcement in the room, and clearly identifying himself, Senator Padilla was shoved out of the room, tackled to the ground, and ultimately handcuffed.' It was a mortifying display for the Department and for the country.
Secretary Noem was present and aware of what was happening and at no point attempted to intervene. She later gave the excuse that no one in the room recognized the Senator, which we know is not true.
If it was true that neither the Secretarynor anyonewho works for her was able to identify one of the two Senators of a State in which her Department is executing widespread immigration raids, she should take responsibility and apologize for the fact their ignorance resulted in the Senator being treated as a criminal. Instead, the Secretary has been slandering the Senator, falsely suggesting that he never identified himself and that he lunged at her. Video footage of the incident demonstrates both accusations to be patently false.' Nevertheless, the Trump administration continues to parrot these lies to malign Senator Padilla and distract the public from the authoritarian tactics the President is using to attempt to silence dissent. It is frighteningly consistentwith how the Trump administration treats all of those it views aspolitical opponents.
In addition to suggesting she did not know Senator Padilla, Secretary Noem also punted questions on how the Senator was assaulted to law enforcement.' At least some of the law enforcement agencies to which she refers, however, are housed within her agency, and the buck is supposedto stop with SecretaryNoem. Shehas an obligation to understand, own, and correct the mistreatment of Senator Padilla.
It is important to note that the issue we need to raise with Secretary Noem goes beyond the treatment of one Senator. What happenedto SenatorPadilla was completely unacceptable, and it is part of the Trump administration' s assault on American democracy. If this is how the administration treats a United States Senator in full public view, imagine what it would do to Americans behind closed doors.
4SeeMaanvi Singh,FamiliesArrestedin LA ICE RaidsHeld in Basementswith Little Food or Water, LawyersSay, THE GUARDIAN( Jun. 11, 2025), https:// www. theguardian. com/ us- news/ 2025/ jun/ 11/la- ice- raids- immigration- conditions.
SeeAndrew Gumbel, Troops and Marines Deeply Troubled by LA Deployment: Morale Is Not Great,' THE GUARDIAN( Jun. 12, 2025), https:// www. theguardian. com/ us-news/ 2025/ jun/ 12/los- angeles- national- guard- troops- marines- morale.
6ShawnHubler,etal., California SenatorForcibleRemovedandHandcuffedAfter InterruptingNoem, N.Y.TIMES Jun. 12, 2025), https:// www. nytimes. com/ 2025/ 06/ 12/us/politics/ senator- alex- padilla- handcuffed. ht".
Id.
Nik Popli, Democratic Senator Slammed to the Ground and Handcuffed at Kristi Noem Event in LA, TIME( Jun. 12, 2025), https:// time. com/ 7293667/ alex- padilla- noem- los- angeles/.
Unfortunately, the Secretary is, at best, complicit in President Trump' s efforts to dismantle our democracy and replace it with an authoritarian-style government. In less than 6 months, Secretary Noem has defied multiple court orders,' deported American children, 10dismantled the Department' s efforts to combat foreign interference in U. S. elections," and doubled down on administration efforts to cast political opponents as villains. This kind of lawless behavior, coupled with reckless disregard for democratic institutions, are the hallmarks of anti- democratic regimes. Secretary Noem must answer to the Committee for the actions she has taken and overseen.
Although your time in Congress has been brief, I am sure you have come to appreciate the importance of oversight, particularly during the 4 '/ z years you have served on the Committee.
Indeed, you summonedthe previous Homeland Security Secretary, who notably never witnessed and condoned the assault of a sitting Senator, to testify multiple times, only to impeach him. We appreciateyour attention to this requestandlook forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
BENNIE G. THOM SON
Ranking Member
Eric Swalwell J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Shri Thanedar Se Magazin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
See, e.g., Katelyn Polantz, KilmarAbrego Garcia's Lawyers Ask Judge to Sanction TrumpAdministration, CNN Jun. 12, 2025), Kelly Garrity, et al., Trump Admin Flight to South Sudan Violated Court Order, Judge Rules, CNN May 21, 2025), https:// www. politico. com/ news/ 2025/ 05/ 21/ trump- deportations- south- sudan- 00362919. 10MadelineHalpert, ThreeUSChildren, OneWithCancer, Deportedto Honduras, LawyersSay, BBC( Apr. 28, 2025), https:// www. bbc. com/ news/ articles/ c4g8yj2n33yo.
See Lawrence Norden& Natasha Hill, How the Federal Government is Undermining Election Security, Brennan Center( Apr. 14, 2025), https://www. brennancenter.org/our-work/ research-reports/how-federal-government- undermining- election- security.
Dan Goldman Delia C. Ramirez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Timothy Xf. Kennedy Monica McIver
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Julie Johnson Pablo J e Hernandez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Ne ie Pou Al Green
Mem of Congress Member of Congress
Troy A. Carter, Sr. Robert Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Congre! 5,5 of the uniteb * to.te.5
Vaa oington, M(f 20515
June 23, 2025
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D. C. 20528
Dear Secretary Noem:
Over the past few weeks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have illegally obstructed congressional oversight by denying Members of Congress access to multiple facilities used to detain immigrants.' Just last week, ICE issued new guidance that unlawfully restricts Members of Congressaccessto ICE facilities.' Denying Members of Congress access to these facilities is a blatant violation of federal law, as well as the constitutional right— and duty— of Congress to conduct oversight of the Executive branch.'
As you well know, Section 527 of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 explicitly prohibits DHS from denying Members of Congressaccessto " any facility operatedby or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens."' Federal law makes no distinction between ICE field offices, large detention centers, or correctional centers. Any facility used by ICE to detain people— for any period of timeis subject to Section 527. And Federal law explicitly prohibits DHS from " requir[ing] a Member of Congressto provide prior notice of the intent to enter a facility... for the purpose of conducting oversight."' Further, as the Supreme Court has repeatedly explained, Congress' s constitutional power and ability to conduct oversight " is as penetrating and far-reaching as the potential power to enact and appropriate under the Constitution."'
The Constitution and laws of the United Statesare not unruly dogs that you can take out back, kick, and shoot when they no longer serve your purpose. ICE has no valid reason to deny Members of Congressaccessto its facilities, including the ICE field offices that hold people for multiple days. If your Department is doing no wrong, then you should welcome the representativesof the American people into ICE facilities. Instead, you have illegally shut us out while ICE falsely claims that every ICE office in the country is too busy to accommodate our statutorily authorized congressionalvisits.'
Elijah Westbrook& Doug Williams, After Brad Lander' s Arrest by ICE, New York Congressman [ sic] Say They Were Denied Oversight Visit at Field Office, CBS NEWS, June 18, 2025, https:// www. cbsnews. com/ newyork/ news/ brad- lander- nyc- comptroller- arrested- by- ice/.
U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Facility Visit and Engagement Protocol for Members of Congress and Staff, June2025, https://www. ice.gov/doclib/ detention/iceFacilityVisitationCongressional. pdf.
E. g., Trump v. Mazars USA, LLP, 591 U. S._( 2020); Barrenblattv. United States, 360 U. S. 109 ( 1959).
Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, Pub. L No. 118- 47, § 527, 138 Stat. 460, 619 ( 2024). 5Id.
See Barrenblatt v. United States, 360 U. S. 109( 1959).
Blocking Members of Congress from conducting oversight and accessing ICE facilities is sadly just the most recent episode in a string of increasingly flagrant abusesof power committed by this administration to quell and crush any attempt at raising questions, expressing disagreement, or conducting oversight, even asyou violate the rights and freedoms of the people of the United States. You have targeted, manhandled, arrested, and deported U. S. citizens without due process.
You have dismantled oversight offices, including the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, which protect Americans' rights and liberties, because you believed them to be " internal adversaries."' You have arrested democratically elected officials and electoral candidates. The Department of Justice is now threatening our colleague, Rep. LaMonica McIver, with seventeenyears in federal prison for carrying out her constitutional oversight duties at an ICE detention facility. Fortunately, the Constitution andlaws of the United Statesdo not bend and submit to your will.
We will continue to show up on behalf of the American people and our Constitution, and we will not be turned away. The American people are watching. Follow the law.
Sincerely,
Bennie G. Thompson Mmie Raskin
Member of Congress Ranking Member
Ranking Member, Committee House Committee on the
on Homeland Security Judiciary
J. Luis Correa Pramila Jayapal
Member of Congress Ranking Member
Ranking Member, Immigration Integrity,
Subcommittee on Border Security, andEnforcement
Security and Enforcement House Judiciary Committee
cc: Todd Lyons, Acting Director, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE to Committee on Homeland Security Staff, e-mail, June 18, 2025 ( on record with the Committee on Homeland Security).
Maria Sacchetti& Ellie Silverman DHS ShutsDown Internal WatchdogAgencies ThatAdvocatedfor Immigrants, WASH. POST, Mar. 21, 2025, https:// www. wasliingtonpost. com/ immigration/ 2025/ 03/ 21/ dhs- immigrant- advocates- watchdogs- oversight/.
April 10, 2025
The Honorable Kristi Noem The Honorable Kika Scott
Secretary Acting Director
Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Washington, D. C. 20528 Camp Springs, M. D. 20746
SecretaryNoem and Acting Director Scott,
As members of Congress, we expressour strong opposition to the recently releasedInterim Final Rule (IFR) on" Alien Registration Form and Evidence of Registration" published on March 12, 2025, which would coerceundocumentedimmigrants to not only register their presence, but also to surrendertheir biometric identification to the United Statesgovernment. The rule, aswritten, raises serious constitutional concerns, fails to adequately address privacy protections, and does not seriously consider the costsimposed on federal, state, and local governmentsasa result of its implementation and enforcement.
The IFR weaponizes an obsolete World War II- era registration requirement for immigrants through the Alien Registration Act of 1940. See 8 U. S. C. § 1302. The registration requirement mandates that non- citizens 14 years of age and older who are staying in the U. S. for 30 days or more and have not already applied for avisa or undergone certain other immigration processes must register and be fingerprinted within 30 days. It is clear that the data collected through registration will be used for detention and deportation, and non- compliance will result in criminal penalties.
We find it particularly egregiousthat the Trump Administration continuesto attempt not only to further criminalize the immigration process, but also to undermine constitutional protections that apply to all residing within the United States, not just U. S. citizens.
The IFR Undermines Core Constitutional Protections and Will Lead to Racial Profiling of Communities with Legal Status
Every individual residing in the United Statesis entitled to certain constitutional protections, including due processandfreedom from racial discrimination. However, legal expertshave expressedconcernthat Latinos living in the U. S. will be racially profiled asa result of this IFR.' Enforcement of this IFR will, by nature, rely on the national origin of individuals under scrutiny of law enforcement officials, which will undoubtedly lead to racial profiling, wrongful arrests and detention of U. S. citizens and other individuals with lawful status. In fact, the implementation of similar laws at the state- level have raised similar constitutional concerns and have been proven to violate the rights of both, noncitizens that the laws seek to target, and U. S. citizens.'
1 ABCNews,DHSregistryfor migrantsin theUSraisesalarmfromimmigrationadvocates. https:Habcnews.go.com/US/immigration- law- experts-raise-concerns-dhs-registry- migrants/story?id= 119231088 2 Campbell, Kristina M. ( 2013). ( Un) Reasonable Suspicion: Racial Profiling in Immigration Enforcement After Arizona v. United States. WakeForest Journal ofLaw and Policy, 367. https: Hdigitalcommons. law. udc. edu/ cgi/ viewcontent. cgi? article= 107l& context= fac journal_ articles& utm Since 2010, several states have attempted to institute legislation that included" Show Me Your Papers" provisions, similar to the documentation requirement outlined in the IFR.' Arizona' s Support our Law Enforcement and SafeNeighborhoods Act specifically included a" show me your papers" provision. While Arizona v. the United States upheld that provision, the state's usageof this provision hasbeenhalted due to a settlementwith severalimmigrant rights groups.' The civil rights groups pointed to anecdotes and evidence showing that the law resulted in racial profiling againstLatino andAsian Americans, who were assumedto be immigrants without lawful status based on their appearance. This IFR will similarly enable racial discrimination of Latino residentsunder the guise of" national security and protection." Already, immigration enforcement operations have led to abuseand the wrongful targeting of U. S. citizens who were racially profiled.' Under the current administration' s stringent immigration enforcementpractices, the instancesof racial profiling andtargeting of individuals with lawful status have increased.' The enforcement regime under this IRF will without a doubt only exacerbatetheseharms in degreeand number of individuals affected.
The IFR' s Reliance on Racial Profiling Will Decrease Economic and Workforce Participation Across Many American Communities
We, as Members of Congress, are also greatly concerned about the impact the IFR will have on the emotional well- being of our constituents and their participation in the economic and social sectors of our communities. Enforcement practices that enable racial profiling create fear and anxiety, even among legal permanent residents and U. S. citizens.' That fear anduncertainty leads to economic instability and depresses participation in civil society in ways that are destabilizing to communities, schools, and businesses", 10A study on stringent immigration laws, specifically focusing on Arizona' s Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act, found that policies that promote racial profiling negatively impact Latino youths' mental health and 3American Civil Liberties Union, SB 1070 at the Supreme Court: What's at Stake. https://www. aclu.org/sb-1070-supreme-court-whats-stake AZ Central, Arizona settles final issues of SB 1070 legal fight. https://www. azcentral.com/story/news/politics/ immigration/ 2016/09/ 15/arizona-settlement-sb-1070-lawsuit- aclu- immigration/ 90424942/
5ACLU, UnitedFarmWorkersandBakersfieldResidentsSueBorderPatrolfor UnlawfulPractices. https://www. aclu-sdic.org/en/press-releases/united-farm-workers- and-bakersficld- residents-sue-border-patrol- unlawful- practices
6ProPublica,SomeAmericansHaveAlreadyBeenCaughtin Trump'sImmigrationDragnet.More Will Be. https:// www. propublica. org/ article/ more- americans- will- be- caught- up- trump- immigration- raids? utm 7NBCNews, TrumpimmigrationraidssnagsU.S. citizens, includingNativeAmericans, raisingracialprofiling fears.
https:// www. nbcnews. com/ news/ latino/ trump- immigration- raids- citizens- profiling- accusations- native- american- rcnal89203
8 Luo, T.,& Kostandini, G. ( 2023). Omnibus or Ominous immigration laws? Immigration policy and mental health of the Hispanic population. Health economics, 32( 1), 90- 106. https:// doi. org/ 10. 1002/ hec.4611 9AssociatedPress,SchoolsaroundtheUSconfrontanxietyoverTrump'sactionsonimmigration. https: Hapnews. com/ article/ immigration- ice- raids- schools- d78b0367db4a7a236a003ad37590d48a 10 Wall Street Journal, People Are Afraid of Going Out' Trump Immigration Moves Hurt Small Businesses. https:// www. wsj. com/ us- news/ trump- immigration- businesses- migrants- c89c6d40 academic achievement." The unintended consequences of the interim rule will likely have a significant and similar impact on Latino youth and communities. While the IFR estimatesthis registration requirement to directly impact 2 to 3 million people, the racial profiling that is likely to occur as aresult of enforcing this new processwill have detrimental effects on the larger 63 million Latino residents residing in the U. S..","
By enforcing a" carry your papers" rule and subjecting Latino and other immigrant communities to likely racial profiling, there will be deleterious consequencesfor the U.S. economy and workforce participation. Immigrants contribute billions to our economy. In 2023, undocumented immigrants contributed $ 89. 8 billion in federal, state, and local taxes and $ 167 million in the housing market.
14 Additionally, immigrants have supplemented the workforce. They make up 25% of entrepreneursand help fill workforce shortagesfor essentialprofessions. The Trump Administration' s actions within the last two months have already impacted the labor force across the country. 15Due to fears of deportation, individuals arereportedly missing work, impacting American businesses and leading to higher costs of living for American consumers. This IFR will intensify the existing climate of fear and anxiety experiencedby immigrant communities and exacerbate the negative economic realities Americans face.
Contrary to the claim that The Administration' s actions on immigrants put America first, the Interim Final Rule underminesuniquely American constitutional protections and civil liberties, damages the American economy, and destabilizes whole communities, ultimately undermining key parts of what makesour country great.
The IFR Seeks to Enforce an Outdated and Debunked Statute Without Consideration of Modern- Day Norms on Immigration Law and Policy
Further, the Rule constitutes a marked departure from the intended and actual use of the registration statuteover the past 80 years. In fact, the United Stateshaseffectively abandoned universal non- citizen registration for the past seventy- five years. 16 Specifically, the United States
completely abandonedthe World War II- era independentregistration processreflected in the 11 Luo, T.,& Escalante, C. L. ( 2021). Stringent immigration enforcement and the mental health and health- risk behaviors of Hispanic adolescent students in Arizona. Health economics, 30( 1), 86- 103. https: Hdoi. org/ 10. 1002/ hec. 4178
12U. S. Department of Health and Human Services,Hispanic/ Latino Health. https: Hminoriiyhealth. hhs. ogv/ Wspaniclatino- health#:—: teat-- According% 20to% 20the% 20U. S.% 20Census, of% 20the 20total% 20U. S.% 20population.
13U.S.Departmentof HomelandSecurity,EstimatesoftheUnauthorizedAlienPopulationResidingintheUnited States. https: Hohss. dhs. ogv/ topics/ immigration/ unauthorized- aliens/ estimates- unauthorized- alien- population- residing united
14AmericanImmigrationCouncil,ImmigrantsKeeptheEconomyStrongAsCongressConsidersWastingBillions on Mass Deportations.
https:// www. americanimmigrationcouncil. org/ news/ immigrants- keep-economy- stron - ags- congress- debates- mass- deportation
15NewYorkTimes,A ChillSetsInfor UndocumentedWorkers, andThoseWhoHireThem. https://www. nytime s.com/2025/03/09/business/economy/immigrant- workers- deportation-fears.html 16 Nancy Morawetz& Natasha Fernandez- Silber, Immigration Law and the Myth of Comprehensive Registration, 48 U. C. Davis L. Rev. 141 ( 2014), available at hUs: Hlawreview. law. ucdavis. edu/ sites/ / fgfiles/ dgynskl5026/ files/ media/ documents/ 48- 1— Morawetz— Fernandez- Silber. pdf statute by 1950. After a dramatic overhaul of U. S. federal immigration law in 1952 and 1965, Congress shifted registration into regularized immigration applications and enforcement. Non- citizen " registration" essentially became wrapped up in individual immigration processes, meaning there was no longer any independentnon-citizen registration processusedin the modern- day U. S. immigration system. Mandatory registration is not commensurate with nor reflective of modern immigration law and practice, andit doesnot reflect the intent of our current set of laws.
The Fast- Tracked Adoption of the IFR Deprives Opportunity for Meaningful Comment Finally, we are deeply concerned about the fast- tracking of this reckless rule, which will have devastatingcivil, judicial, and economic consequences. By claiming a" procedural rule" exception under the Administrative Procedure Act, the Department of Homeland Security will not consider public commentsbefore imposing this registration requirement despiteits sweeping effect in creating essentially a nation- wide " show- me-your- papers" regime. This procedural rule exception should not be invoked in context of this policy changewhich deeply altersthe rights and interests of multiple parties in the U. S. Not only will noncitizen' s lives be deeply affected by the implementation and enforcementof this new regime, but U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and state and local governments will also face serious and troubling consequences as a result. In addition, public comments and consideration of adequateguardrails, oversight, and other measures to reduce and prevent the racial profiling of individuals must be considered before any regulation similar to this IFR go into effect.
We highly condemnthis Interim Final Rule and aim to work with our colleaguesto establish adequate guardrails to ensure the rights and liberties afforded to every individual in the U. S. by the Constitution areprotected andrespected. The rule must not be fast-tracked and every public comment to the IFR must be carefully and thoughtfully considered to ensure adequate and necessaryoversight. We call on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately rescind this IFR and abandon plans to develop a new registration process.
Sincerely,
Delia C. Ramirez Adriano Espaillat
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Rashida Tlaib Nydi . Velazquez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Eleanor Holmes Norton Paul D. Tonko
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez RA Vargas
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Veronica Escobar chakowsky
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Darren Soto Nanette Diaz Barragan
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J sus G. " Chuy" Garcia Greg asar
Member of Congress Member of Congress
tvette D. Clarke Robert Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Robert J. Menendez S via R. Garcia
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J. Luis Correa James P. McGovern
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The Hon. Mark Green
Chairman
Committee on Homeland Security
U. S. House of Representatives
1-12-176 Ford House Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Chairman Green:
This letter servesto formalize the demand made yesterday by multiple Committee Democrats that you, prior to your upcoming departure from Congress, summon the Secretaryof Homeland Security to testify about the egregioustreatment of SenatorAlex Padilla during a Department of Homeland Security ( DHS or the Department) press conference at a Federal building in Los Angeles, California.' This marks the second occasion that law enforcement entities within the Department have used force to obstruct congressional oversight,' and one in a series of instances in which the Department has refused to comply with oversight requests.' The Department' s actions are an affront not only to congressionalprerogatives afforded by the Constitution but also to rule of law and democracyitself. The Committee must not standby idly.
As you are likely aware, SecretaryKristi Noem has an abysmalrecord of responding to inquiries and document requests from Capitol Hill. On Thursday afternoon, Senator Padilla attempted to participate in an event at a Federal building in order to engagethe Secretary on the aggressive and unlawful tactics the Trump administration has used against residents of California in recent weeks. In addition to sweeping, indiscriminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) i NnamdiEgwuonwu,Sen.Alex Padilla DisputesTrumpAdministration'sAccountof His ForcibleRemovalat a DHS Event, MSNBC( Jun. 12, 2025), https://www. nbcnews.com/politics/ congress/sen-alex-padilla- disputes-trump- administrations- account- incident- led- f- rcna212760.
See Steve Strunsky, FedsAre Lying About Members of Congress Storming ICE Center, Congresswoman Says, NJ.com ( May 12, 2025), https://www. nj.com/essex/2025/05/feds-are-lying- about-members-of- congress-storming- ice- center- congresswoman- says. html.
sEduardoCuevas,ICE DeniesAccessof CrowdedDetentionFacilities,LawmakersSay, USATODAY(Jun. 11, 2025), https://www. usatoday.com/stoiy/ news/nation/2025/06/11/ice-denies-migrant-detention-oversight/ 84140938007/.
raids targeting non- criminal migrants,' the administration deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles— against the will of California' s Governor— to silence protestors. s
Understandably, the people of California are outraged. SenatorPadilla was doing his job when he attempted to communicate their outrage to Secretary Noem and ask questions about the administration' s brazen actions in the State. Unfortunately, despite being brought into the briefing room by law enforcement, being identified by law enforcement in the room, and clearly identifying himself, Senator Padilla was shoved out of the room, tackled to the ground, and ultimately handcuffed.' It was a mortifying display for the Department and for the country.
Secretary Noem was present and aware of what was happening and at no point attempted to intervene. She later gave the excuse that no one in the room recognized the Senator, which we know is not true.
If it was true that neither the Secretarynor anyonewho works for her was able to identify one of the two Senators of a State in which her Department is executing widespread immigration raids, she should take responsibility and apologize for the fact their ignorance resulted in the Senator being treated as a criminal. Instead, the Secretary has been slandering the Senator, falsely suggesting that he never identified himself and that he lunged at her. Video footage of the incident demonstrates both accusations to be patently false.' Nevertheless, the Trump administration continues to parrot these lies to malign Senator Padilla and distract the public from the authoritarian tactics the President is using to attempt to silence dissent. It is frighteningly consistentwith how the Trump administration treats all of those it views aspolitical opponents.
In addition to suggesting she did not know Senator Padilla, Secretary Noem also punted questions on how the Senator was assaulted to law enforcement.' At least some of the law enforcement agencies to which she refers, however, are housed within her agency, and the buck is supposedto stop with SecretaryNoem. Shehas an obligation to understand, own, and correct the mistreatment of Senator Padilla.
It is important to note that the issue we need to raise with Secretary Noem goes beyond the treatment of one Senator. What happenedto SenatorPadilla was completely unacceptable, and it is part of the Trump administration' s assault on American democracy. If this is how the administration treats a United States Senator in full public view, imagine what it would do to Americans behind closed doors.
4SeeMaanvi Singh,FamiliesArrestedin LA ICE RaidsHeld in Basementswith Little Food or Water, LawyersSay, THE GUARDIAN( Jun. 11, 2025), https:// www. theguardian. com/ us- news/ 2025/ jun/ 11/la- ice- raids- immigration- conditions.
SeeAndrew Gumbel, Troops and Marines Deeply Troubled by LA Deployment: Morale Is Not Great,' THE GUARDIAN( Jun. 12, 2025), https:// www. theguardian. com/ us-news/ 2025/ jun/ 12/los- angeles- national- guard- troops- marines- morale.
6ShawnHubler,etal., California SenatorForcibleRemovedandHandcuffedAfter InterruptingNoem, N.Y.TIMES Jun. 12, 2025), https:// www. nytimes. com/ 2025/ 06/ 12/us/politics/ senator- alex- padilla- handcuffed. ht".
Id.
Nik Popli, Democratic Senator Slammed to the Ground and Handcuffed at Kristi Noem Event in LA, TIME( Jun. 12, 2025), https:// time. com/ 7293667/ alex- padilla- noem- los- angeles/.
Unfortunately, the Secretary is, at best, complicit in President Trump' s efforts to dismantle our democracy and replace it with an authoritarian-style government. In less than 6 months, Secretary Noem has defied multiple court orders,' deported American children, 10dismantled the Department' s efforts to combat foreign interference in U. S. elections," and doubled down on administration efforts to cast political opponents as villains. This kind of lawless behavior, coupled with reckless disregard for democratic institutions, are the hallmarks of anti- democratic regimes. Secretary Noem must answer to the Committee for the actions she has taken and overseen.
Although your time in Congress has been brief, I am sure you have come to appreciate the importance of oversight, particularly during the 4 '/ z years you have served on the Committee.
Indeed, you summonedthe previous Homeland Security Secretary, who notably never witnessed and condoned the assault of a sitting Senator, to testify multiple times, only to impeach him. We appreciateyour attention to this requestandlook forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
BENNIE G. THOM SON
Ranking Member
Eric Swalwell J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Shri Thanedar Se Magazin
Member of Congress Member of Congress
See, e.g., Katelyn Polantz, KilmarAbrego Garcia's Lawyers Ask Judge to Sanction TrumpAdministration, CNN Jun. 12, 2025), Kelly Garrity, et al., Trump Admin Flight to South Sudan Violated Court Order, Judge Rules, CNN May 21, 2025), https:// www. politico. com/ news/ 2025/ 05/ 21/ trump- deportations- south- sudan- 00362919. 10MadelineHalpert, ThreeUSChildren, OneWithCancer, Deportedto Honduras, LawyersSay, BBC( Apr. 28, 2025), https:// www. bbc. com/ news/ articles/ c4g8yj2n33yo.
See Lawrence Norden& Natasha Hill, How the Federal Government is Undermining Election Security, Brennan Center( Apr. 14, 2025), https://www. brennancenter.org/our-work/ research-reports/how-federal-government- undermining- election- security.
Dan Goldman Delia C. Ramirez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Timothy Xf. Kennedy Monica McIver
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Julie Johnson Pablo J e Hernandez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Ne ie Pou Al Green
Mem of Congress Member of Congress
Troy A. Carter, Sr. Robert Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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The Honorable Mark E. Green
Chairman
Committee on Homeland Security
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Green:
We write to request, once again, that the Committee hold a hearing to receive testimony from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The Trump administration has initiated drastic changes to the offices and operations of the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS or the Department) since January 20 without consulting Congress. As Members of the Department' s primary authorizing committee, we have an obligation to hold the administration accountablefor decisions that affect the efficacy of its programs. Failure to demand transparency and accountability of DHS leadership is a dereliction of duty.
Ranking Member Thompson sent you a letter on February 11, 2025, requesting that you invite SecretaryNoem to testify before the Committee by March 14. He renewed the request again at the February 26 markup where Republicans rejected two resolutions of inquiry ( ROI). The ROIs would have directed the Secretaryto provide to the Committee documentsrelated to the ongoing hiring freeze and deferred resignation gimmick, the grant funding freeze, and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency' s (DOGE) access to Department information systems and data. You responded: " We will talk to the Secretaryand figure out a time. But I know shehasto come for the annual World Wide Threats briefing." As you are likely aware, the Committee traditionally holds its annual World Wide Threats activity in the fall. That is far too long to wait for Congressional oversight.
When Ranking Member Thompson wrote to you on February 11, he raised concerns that Secretary Noem was not providing sufficient oversight of DOGE' s activities and information access at the Department. He also raised concerns about the Trump administration' s plans to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA), the Secretary's hostility to the Federal workforce, and the ongoing hiring and Federal grant freeze. None of these issues have gone away. Remarkably, the administration' s activity at DHS has only generated more unchecked chaos over the intervening weeks. Moreover, the administration has been slow, Chairman Mark E. Green
unwilling, or unable to provide answers to the inquiries Members have made about changes to the Department' s workforce, programs, and offices. As hurricane season approaches, cyber threat actors grow bolder and more sophisticated, and U. S. citizens and permanent residents are being detained and even deported by immigration officials, we owe it to our constituents to ensure the Department is carrying out its mission to defend the homeland while following the law.
The Trump administration approachto national security has only grown more irresponsible since February 11. Just this week, we learned that top Trump administration officials engaged in a disturbingly cavalier conversation about imminent military operations via Signal, a commercial open- source messaging application. By all accounts, none of the participants in the Signal chat appearedsurprised that a conversation relating to such grave subject matter was transpiring in that forum. We can only presume that means Signal is commonly used by administration officials to discuss sensitive, and potentially classified, information. We must have the opportunity to engage the Secretary on this important issue.
The impacts of the administration' s recklessness are compounded by its continued attacks on the Department. On March 7, 2025, SecretaryNoem moved to end collective bargaining and union rights for Transportation Security Administration workersa blatantly political attack against employee unions that have been instrumental in stemming the agency's catastrophic attrition rates. The courts will ultimately decide the legality of this counterproductive union busting, but in the meantime, it places transportation security at risk in the middle of the spring break travel season.
On March 21, 2025, DHS eliminated three of its internal watchdogs, including the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman.' The 300 employees staffing those offices promoted liberty, fairness, and equality in DHS programs and activities, and addressed complaints about the immigration system. Dismantling these offices was nothing other than a blatant attempt to remove any guardrails as Trump subvertsthe rule of law. Additionally, the Trump administration terminated nearly 20 percent of the DHS workforce focused on preventing terrorism and targetedviolence. Dismantling DHS' s terrorism prevention office when DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been consistently warning about heightened terrorism threats is irrational.'
During a televised cabinet meeting on March 24, 2025, Secretary Noem made the shocking declaration, " We' re going to eliminate FEMA." 3 She and other administration officials reportedly met the next day to make plans to dismantle the agency.' These outrageous remarks and subsequent action are especially alarming given that the Nation is still recovering from the Maria Sacchetti and Ellie Silverman, DHS ShutsDown Internal WatchdogAgencies ThatAdvocated For Immigrants, WASH. POST( Mar. 21, 2025), https:// www. wasliingtonpost. com/ immigration/ 2025/ 03/ 21/ dhs- immigrant- advocates- watchdogs- oversight/.
zHannahAllam, Killing Grants That Have SavedLives: Trump's Cuts Signal End to Government Work on Terrorism Prevention, PROPUBLICA( Mar. 20, 2025), https:// www. propublica. org/ article/ trump- doge- budget- cuts- terrorism- prevention.
Rachel Frazin, Noem Says She Plans to Eliminate FE114', THE HILL( Mar. 25, 2025), https:// theliill. com/ policy/ energy- environment/ 5213057- noem- plans- eliminate- fema/.
Chairman Mark E. Green
2024 hurricane season and the 2025 hurricane season is just two months away. Now is not the time for the administration to weaken— much less dismantle— the only Federal entity charged with helping people before, during, and after disasters.
Secretary Noem' s announcement follows the Trump administration' s recent actions to weaken the Nation' s emergencymanagementinfrastructure, eroding its capacity and effectiveness. Amid understaffing at FEMA, the administration has fired experienced Agency personnel, with more staff expected to leave under Elon Musk' s deferred resignation scheme.' Under Secretary Noem, FEMA also continues to withhold grant funding for terrorism prevention and response, disaster relief, and cybersecurity from our communities. Grant programs that this Committee has championed for years in a bipartisan manner to keep our communities strong and support first responders are now under attack. For example, FEMA is withholding congressionally appropriated funding to churches, synagogues, and other houses of worship specifically designed for helping at- risk organizations prepare for and respond to acts of terrorism. This is unacceptable.
Regarding the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA), we are aware the Agency eliminated at least 130 probationary employees before being forced by court order to reinstatethem.6Terminated employeeswere responsible for programs related to urgent emerging threats and risks, including the Cyber Safety Review Board' s investigation into Salt Typhoon, software supply chain security, and programs aimed at securing operational technology. We are also aware that the administration has cancelled a number of CISA contracts, including those supporting " Red Team" operations,' and that it has cut $ 10 million from the Multi- State Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which provides critical cybersecurity support to State and local governments.' The administration has dismantled or disbanded critical public- private collaboration structures, including the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council' and the CISA CybersecurityAdvisory Committee,10that ensurethe governmentandprivate sector 4GabeCohen, `We're NotPreparing':As TrumpOfficials Vowto EliminateFE/VL4, theAgencyisAlready in Turmoil, CNN( Mar. 26, 2025), https://edition. cnn.com/2025/03/26/politics/ fema-payments-staffing- stalled-turmoil/ index. html.
Brianna Sacks, Hannah Natanson and Ruby Mellen, FEMA Is Losing Scores of Employees. What Does That Mean for Disaster Recovery?, WASH. POST( Feb. 18, 2025),
https:// www. wasliingtonpo st. com/ climate- enviromnent/ 2025/ 02/ 18/ fema- layoffs- disaster- response/.
Nicole Sganga,Fired CISA Probationary Employees to be ReinstatedAfter U.S.Judge's Order Last Week, CBS NEWS (Mar. 17, 2025), https:// www. cbsnews. com/ news/ fired- cisa- probationary- employees- reinstated/. Some publications estimate that CISA has lost as many as 300 or 400 staffers, or about 10 percent of its workforce. Eric Geller, People Are Scared': Inside CISA asItReels From Trump'' Purge, WIRED ( Mar. 13, 2025), https:// www. wired. com/ story/ inside- cisa- under- trump/.
Matt Seldon, CISA Clarifies Red Team Status Amid Contract Termination Reports, HSToDAY( Mar. 24, 2025), https:// www. hstoday. us/ subject- matter- areas/cybersecurity/ cisa- clarifies- red- team- status- amid- contract- termination- reports/.
Matt Nelson, CISA Cuts$ IOM in ISAC Funding& I00s of Employees, DARK READEVG(Mar. 14, 2025), https://www. darkreading.com/remote-workforce/ cisa-cuts-isac-funding- employees.
Tim Starks, Trade Groups Worry Information Sharing Will Worsen Without Critical Infrastructure Panel, CISA Law Renewal, CYBERscooP( Mar. 11, 2025), https: Hcyberscoop. com/ cyber- information- sharing- critical- infrastructure- panel- cisa- law- renewal/.
10Ravi Lakshamanan, Trump TerminatesDHSAdvisory CommitteeMemberships, Disrupting Cybersecurity Review, THEHACKERNEws ( Jan.23, 2025), https://thchackemews.com/2025/01/trump-terminates-dhs-advisory- committee. html.
Chairman Mark E. Green
work together to defend critical infrastructure. All of this is to say nothing of the fact that the administration has reportedly eviscerated CISA' s cybersecurity support to State and local election officials and has of yet refused to brief Congress on its assessment of CISA' s election security mission."
Finally, the Secretary needs to appear before the Committee to answer to the Department's shocking abuses of authority related to immigration enforcement. Although the Department claims to be going after the " the worst of the worst," under SecretaryNoem, DHS has abandoned due process and sent people with no criminal records to facilities with deplorable conditions in GuantanamoBay and El Salvador. Those deportedunder the Alien Enemies Act have beengiven no opportunity to appear before a judge, hear the claims against them, and assert a defense. In the chaos, the Department has swept up, detained, and even deportedU. S. citizens, including a ten- year- old American child recovering from brain cancer. This is unconscionable.
The Trump administration' s attempts to dismantle offices and components at DHS and its reckless disregard of the law and due process have little to do with efficiency and more to do with exacting vengeance on parts of the government the President holds a grudge against. If the administration wants Americans to believe its actions at DHS are anything short of a revenge tour, the Secretary should make the case to Congress.
We urge you to invite the Secretary to testify before the Committee without further delay. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Bennie G. Thompson
Member of Congress
Ranking Member, Committee
on Homeland Security
Eric Swalwell J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress Member of Congress
SeeAdam Ambrogi, et al., Election Security Is atRiskAmid Federal GovernmentActions, NEwsWEEK(Mar. 24, 2025), https:// www. newsweek. com/ clection- security- risk- amid- federal- government- actions- opinion- 2048879.
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The Honorable Kristi Noem
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Washington, DC 20528
Dear Secretary Noem,
We write to expressconcernsfollowing recent incidents at U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) facilities and denials of entry of U. S. Members of Congress.
On June 7, 2025, multiple Members of Congress were denied entry to the ICE facility in the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, California. The denials of entry were made despite explicit legal authority for congressional Members to do so and despite the peaceful and cooperative conversationsMembers had with Department of Homeland Security officials outside of the facilities. Denying Members of Congress access to a federal detention facility is a direct violation of federal law.
Section 527( a) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 ( Public Law 118- 47):
None of thefunds appropriated or otherwise madeavailable to theDepartment of Homeland Security by this Act may be used to prevent... a Member of Congress... from entering,for thepurpose of conducting oversight, anyfacility operated by or for the Department ofHomeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens..." Nothing in this section may be construed to require a Member of Congress to provide prior notice of the intent to enter... for thepurpose of conducting oversight. " We request that your Department provide answers as to why Members of Congress were denied legal oversight facilities, and whether it is the policy of the Department of Homeland Security to withhold or delay Members from entry.
We look forward to your immediate response.
Sincerely,
J. Luis Correa T y Go ez
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Luz- ivas Bennie G. Thompson
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Linda T. Sanchez WN4onica McIver
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WASHINGTON OFFICE
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April 25, 2025
The Honorable Todd M. Lyons The Honorable Kika Scott
Acting Director Acting Director
U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 500 12th St SW# 5600 5900 Capital Gateway Dr
Washington, DC 20024 Camp Springs, MD 20746
Dear Acting Director Lyons and Acting Director Scott,
I write to inquire about current U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) and U. S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policies regarding removal enforcementand who your agencies prioritize for removal.
Public statements from President Donald Trump and members of the Administration have reiterated that targeting criminals is the top priority for removal. However, I am concernedby recentreportsof ICE raidsat sensitivelocations, includinganApril 7mvisit of DHSpersonnelto Los Angeles Unified School District( LAUSD) elementary schoolswithout warrants. This is a troublesome incident that raises questions about the safety of innocent children.
Additionally, I would also like to understand current ICE and USCIS policy surrounding consular notification once an individual has been detained. I have heard of incidences in Orange County, California where individuals were detained for removal, but the Mexican Consulate was not notified.
I respectfully ask that you provide a briefing to myself and other Members of Congresson these questions, as well as provide a copy of your current policies for removal enforcement.
Sincerely,
J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress
WASFIPAGTON OFFICE
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June 27, 2025
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D. C. 20528
Secretary Noem:
I write to express my serious concern with this administration' s chilling actions of rounding up and arresting individuals with no criminal history and doing so without the transparencyasto why the individuals are being arrested. The lack of accountability and transparency from this administration is of grave concernto the citizens of this country. Not only areMembers of Congress concerned with the lack of transparency, accountability, and its immigration actions, butthemajority of theAmericanpeopledonot agreewith this administration's actionseither.I PresidentTrump initially promised to go after the worst of the worst in his immigration policy.
Similarly, yourecentlywentonFox andclaimedyouweregoingaftertheworstof theworst.2 However, the actions of this administration and your DHS show you arenot focused on arresting dangerous criminals like, murders, rapists and drug dealers. Instead, you are sending masked individuals who do not identify themselvesaslaw enforcementto arrest college andhigh school students4,restaurantworkers5, factoryworkers6, andevenAmericanchildren, someof whom have cancer?which is beyond heartless. The scopeof your enforcement activities hasgrown so Majority of Voters Oppose GOP Budget Bill, With Just 67% Of Republicans In Support, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Trump Job Approval: 38%, His Handling Of Russia- Ukraine WarLowestAmong List Of Issues, QUI N1NIPIACUNIVERSITY POLL( Jan. 14, 2025), hlWs:// poll. gu. edu/ poll- release? releaseid= 3924 2 Fox News Television Interview, We have been going after the` worst of the worst' in LA: Kristi Noem( Jun. 10, 2025), https:// www. foxnews. com/ video/ 6374069994112 3 Russell Contreras and Steph Solis, Ambush arrest of Tufts student sparks new concerns about immigration crackdown, Axlos( Mar. 27, 2025), https:// www. axios. com/ 2025/ 03/ 27/ arrest- tuft- student- rumeysa- orturk trump- rubio
4 Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke, ICE' s tactics draw criticism as it triples dailyarrest targets, REUTERS( Jun. 10, 2025) https:// www. reuters. com/ world/ us/ ices- tactics- draw- criticism- it- triples- daily- arrest- targets- 2025- 06- 10/
s Ibid.
6Ibid.
ICEDeports 3 U. S. Citizen Children Held Incommunicado Prior to the Deportation, ACLU OF LOUISIANA, ( Apr. 25, 2025), https: llwww. aclu. orglpress- releaseslice- deports- 3- u- s- citizen- children- held- incommunicado- prior- to- the- deportation
large to include migrant workers and tourists with visas$, that you are unable to effectively focus on arresting dangerouscriminals, which makesour country lesssafe.
Even though President Trump has finally acknowledgedhis immigration policies areharming individuals and businesses, particularly farmers, and those in the hotel and leisure business - which is further damaging our once strong economy - I fear this administration will not learn from their mistakes. White House officials have said they hope U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) can scaleup to 3,000 arrestsa day, from approximately 660 during the first 100 days of Trump' s presidency. 10Sincethesenumberscannotbeachievedwithout arresting non-criminals, it appearsthis administration will continue arresting hardworking individuals who pose no threat to our communities. It also appears this is why DHS has eliminated any transparencyefforts regarding migrant arrests. For an administration that claims to be the most transparentin historyll, you havecontributedto beingtheleasttransparentthis countryhasever seen.
This administration refusesto provide accuratedata and details around what criminal record, if any, DHS components use to justify the arrest of an individual. After President Trump took office DHS stoppedissuing detailed statistical reports on immigration enforcement, which makes it challengingto gaugethescopeof your immigrationcrackdown.12 Since your administration will not provide transparent data, we must piecemeal different data sourcesto get an accuratepicture of DHS' s enforcementefforts. For example, we look at The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse - a project from Syracuse University that compiles immigration figures— which estimatesthat of the 51,302 people in ICE detention facilities asof June 1, about 44% had no criminal record aside from entering the US without permission. 13News outlets also report ICE detention statistics show the number of detainees arrested by ICE with no other criminal charges or convictions rose from about 860 in January to 7, 800 this month - a more than 800% increase. 14
And if we look at recent eventsand updatesfrom ICE, the unnecessaryand harmful immigration 8Bernd Debusmann Jr, Who has been arrested by ICE under Trump, BBC( Jun. 11, 2025), https:// www. bbc. com/ news/ articles/ C86p821 p660o
s President Donald Turmp, Truth Social Post, ( Jun. 12, 2025) https:// truthsocial. com/( a)rea[ DonaldTrump// posts/ 114670684664650262 10Bernd Debusmann Jr, Who has been arrested by ICE under Trump, BBC(Jun. 11, 2025), https:// www. bbc. com/ news/ articles/ C86p821 p660o
11White House Press Release: Sunday Shows: Most Transparent Administration in History, THEWHITEHOUSE(Jan. 20, 2025), https:// www. whitehouse. gov/ articles/ 2025/ 02/ sunday- shows- most- transparent- administration- in- history/
12Ted Hesson, Trump's ICE arrests non- criminals despite crime focused message, REUTERs(Jun. 13, 2025), https:// www. reuters. com/ world/ us/ trumps- ice- arrests- non- criminals- despite- crime- focused- message- 2025- 06- 13/
13Bernd Debusmann Jr, Who has been arrested by ICE under Trump, BBC( Jun. 11, 2025), https:// www. bbc. com/ news/ articles/ C86p821 p660o
14Ted Hesson, Trump' s ICE arrests non- criminals despite crime focused message, REUTERs(Jun. 13, 2025), https:// www. reuters. com/ world/ us/ trumps- ice- arrests- non- criminals- despite- crime- focused- message- 2025- 06- 13/
raids in Los Angeles saw the immigration arrests of 118 people, which DHS said included five gangmembers.15While theagencyhasidentified ahandfulof peoplewith criminalhistories, due to DHS refusing to provide more transparent details of their actions, it' s unclear how many of the 118 individuals have criminal histories.
Sadly, this administrations credibility is so badly damagedwe cannot simply rely on the words coming from a DHS spokesperson or yourself that this administration is targeting the worst of the worst. The fact this administration hasrepeatedly misrepresentedmigrants' criminal histories16, lied to theAmericanpeopleby photoshoppinggangtattoosonthebodyof individual theywereillegally detaining17, andhavingto reluctantlyadmitto clericalerrorslgandsoftware errors19thatresultedin arrestsanddeportationsof migrantswith no criminalhistory, we in congressand the American people cannot trust the administrations word that they aredoing what they say. Trump and his administration leadership has eroded the trust of the American people and congress, and we must requestall necessarypieces of information to get a truthful picture of your immigration enforcement activities.
Therefore, given these concerns I request the following information by July 18, 2025:
1) A breakdown of the criminal charges and convictions migrants that have been arrested and detainedby a DHS component from January20, 2025 to date; 2) Of these individuals how many have been deported since January? Please provide a breakdown of their criminal offensesby category.
3) How many of the individuals have been found by a court to have proven ties, not alleged ties without proof, to criminal enterprises, gangs, or Foreign Terrorist Organizations FTO)?
4) What is the policy DHS componentsfollow when deciding to arrestan individual? How are agents and officers deciding who to detain and arrest in public? 5) How are agentsand officers identifying themselveswhen they approachanindividual to detain and or arrest in the streets?
6) What type of training do arresting officers have?
7) Are the arresting officers federal agents?
5 Ibid.
6Armando Garcia, Peter Charalambous, and Katherine Faulders,` Many' alleged gang members deported by Trump didn' thave criminal records in the US: ICE, ABC NEWS(Mar. 18, 2025), https:// abcnews. go. com/ US/ noncitizens- deported- alien- enemies- act- criminal- records- ice/ story? id= 119912375
17Sara Dorn, The Conspiracy Behind KilmarAbregro Garcia' s Tattoos Explained- After Trump Insists Doctered MS- 13' Ink Is Real, FORBES, ( Apr. 30, 2025), https:// www. f orb es. co m/ s ites/ saradorn/ 2025/ 04/ 30/ the- conspiracy- behind- kilmar- abrego- garcias- tattoos- explained- after- trump- insists- doctored- ms- 13- ink- is- real/ 18Jacob Rose and Camilo Montoya- Galvez, Trump ICE official admits to" administrative error" in deporting man to El Salvador prison, CBS NEWS,( Apr. 1, 2025), https:// www. cbsnews. com/ news/ trump- administrative- error- deporting- man- el- salvador- prison/
19Russ Choma, ICE Officials JustAdmitted to Another Major Deportation Error, MOTHERJONES,(May. 17, 2025), https:// www. mother* ones. com/ politics/ 2025/ 05/ ice- officials- just- admitted- to- another- major- deportation- error/
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I feel I must remind you of the DHS mission statementwhich is " With honor and integrity, we will safeguardthe American people, our homeland, and our values." It seems you have forgotten this, and I truly hope you reverse courseand start leading with integrity and honor while working to keepus safe.
Sincerely,
J. LOUIS CORREA
MEMBER OF CONGRESS
DISSENTING VIEWS OF COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY DEMOCRATS May 7, 2025
During the markup of the House Republican reconciliation package, Homeland Security Committee Democrats offered 34 amendments that addressed a range of concerns ignored in the disastrous underlying legislation, which was the Committee' s piece of the larger, extreme Trump agenda, containing $ 7 trillion in giveaways to billionaires and big corporations and $ 880 billion in cuts to Medicaid.
The amendments— which ranged from prohibiting the Trump administration from illegally deporting U. S. citizens to upholding the supremacy of the SupremeCourt to prohibiting cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA), among many others— addressed the Trump administration' s abuse of its mass deportation agenda that has sent American citizen children with cancer to SouthAmerica; its dismantling of the Department of Homeland Security DHS); andits blatant mismanagementof the Department sincetaking office in January2025.
Committee Republicans could neither promote nor defend their legislation or their party' s administration. They chose silence instead.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Committee Democrats fought for due process for migrants and American citizens alike. We fought for a strong DHS that did not ignore its responsibilities to keep Americans safe. We fought against handouts to billionaires and budget cuts for victims of disasters. We fought for our communities and the rule of law.
Republicans, meanwhile, leaned back in their chairs for more than 5 hours and waited in deafening silence to rubber stamp the worst excessesof a Trump administration that hasproven it cannot be trusted. They waited to approve tens of billions of funds for a border wall President Trump once claimed would be paid for by Mexico.
Having rejected all the Democratic amendments during the Committee's consideration of this fast-tracked legislation, we implore our colleaguesto do a little soul searchingbefore voting to advance this legislation any further. We continue to believe that our country is better than what is representedin a bill that provides tax cuts for billionaires while denying the most vulnerable basic healthcare.
Deportations
Committee Democrats put forward dozensof amendmentsto protect the American people asthe Trump administration recklessly and cruelly implements its mass deportation agenda. Under President Trump and SecretaryKristi Noem, DHS is detaining and deporting American children with terminal cancer, punishing studentsfor engagingin protectedFirst Amendment activity, and denying dueprocessto individuals, including thosein the country legally.
Ranking Member Thompson offered an amendment to prevent funds in the legislation from being used to remove American citizens from the United States, except for compliance with treaty obligations and Federal extradition laws and policies. Committee Republicans 1 unanimously voted against this amendment. Committee Republicans similarly rejected Democratic amendments that would have prohibited DHS from removing U. S. children including those with cancer— veterans who served in the U. S. military and were honorably discharged, the spousesof active duty servicemembers, andpregnant women.
Committee Republicans also uniformly opposed Rep. Magaziner' s amendment to prohibit deporting Americans to foreign prisons, including El Salvador' s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center ( CECOT). Committee Republicans then rejected Rep. Ramirez' s amendment to prohibit deporting immigrants to third- country prisons, along with Rep. Garcia' s amendmentto prohibit removing immigrants under the Alien EnemiesAct without dueprocess.
Committee Democrats are appalled by the Trump administration' s actions to sendindividuals to dangerous foreign prisons where they have no chance at due process or proving their innocence.
Many of these individuals have never been convicted of a crime or had their day in court, in contravention of the U. S. Constitution.' President Trump has threatened to expand these illegal disappearancesto U.S. citizens. In a meeting with President Bukele of El Salvador, he stated The homegrowns are next, the homegrowns." Trump then instructed El Salvador' s president to build about five more places," to imprison the " homegrowns."' Committee Democrats are committed to protecting the American people and the rule of law. By rejecting Democratic amendments, Committee Republicans made clear that no person is safe in America under the Trump administration' s mass deportation agenda. Even American children undergoing cancer treatment are fair targets for Republicans and the Trump administration.
Rep. Magaziner also offered an amendment to ensure that no funds would be used to prevent an individual from seeking or meeting with legal counsel when being questioned or detained by immigration enforcement authorities. Republicans voted this down. Rep. Ramirez also offered an amendment prohibiting the Trump administration from reinstating family separation at the border. Republicans opposed this amendment.
Rep. Carter offered an amendment to prohibit DHS from detaining and removing any non- citizen for exercisingtheir First Amendmentright to free speech. If individuals like RumeysaOztiirk and Mahmoud Khalil are jailed and deported for exercising their First Amendment rights, then any person in this country is under threat for doing the samething. Republicans also voted this amendment down.
Rep. McIver and Rep. Johnson offered amendments to protect international students studying at American universities. Under the Trump administration, thousandsof international studentshad their legal status terminated or visas revoked without transparency or justification, causing fear and chaos across the country. In some cases, students and their universities were not even notified of their change in status. These Democratic amendments would have ensured transparency and due process for students studying in the United States, yet Republicans unanimously rejected them.
U. S. Const. amend. V.
zBrianMann, 'Homegrown arenext': Trumphopesto deportandjail U.S. citizensabroad, NPR(Apr. 16,2025), https:// www. npr.org/ 2025/ 04/ 16/nx- sl- 5366178/ trump- deport jail- u- s-citizens- homegrowns- el- salvador. 2 Rep. Ramirez offered an amendment preventing Customs and Border Protection ( CBP) from facilitating the transfer of migrants to Guantanamo Bay, a facility that President Trump promised would hold " the worst of the worst." Instead, the Trump administration wasted $ 40 million to temporarily jail there approximately 400 detainees, most of whom are nonviolent, low- risk individuals with no serious criminal records.' Committee Republicans, who claim to be against waste and abuse, voted against this amendment.
Rep. Kennedy also offered an amendment aimed at protecting American consumers and the economic vibrancy of our communities, which are heavily reliant on trade with Canada. His amendment would have prevented funds from being used to enforce tariffs on Canada, which raise the cost of everyday goods for the American people.
When the Trump administration spends its resources harassing, rounding up, and deporting American citizens, legal permanent residents, and international students in the name of border security, it is ignoring real threatsfrom terrorism, domestic violent extremism, and gun violence.
It is also putting at risk Americans who rely on government programs, like Medicaid, Social Security and FEMA' s disaster relief programs, which Republicans would gut to fund the administration' s campaign of terror and intimidation.
Furthermore, taxpayers should not foot the bill for failed campaign promises. This bill includes an additional $ 46.5 billion to construct the border wall that President Trump promised Mexico would pay for.' Republicans propose spending ten times the amount on Trump' s failed border wall as they do on CBP personnel. Committee Democrats support the use of more efficient border security technologies to catch and detect smugglers and interdict drugs. Yet when Rep.
Correa offered an amendment enabling funding in the bill to be used for new, innovative technologies, Republicans opposed that effort.
Health Care in CBP Custody
Democrats support funding for CBP to provide adequate health care to detainees in its custody, but Republicans rejected Rep. Thanedar' s amendment to provide $ 1.8 billion over 5 years to do so. In 2018, two young children died in CBP custody within months of each other,' and a third child died in CBP custody in 2023.
E
After the 2023 death, CBP' s Office of Professional
Responsibility found numerous breakdowns in the child' s health care.' Rep. Thanedar' s Carol Rosenberg, U.S. Has Spent$ 40 Million to Jail about 400 migrants at Guantanamo, N. Y. TIMES ( Mar. 31, 2025), https:// www. nytimes. com/ 2025/ 03/ 31/ us/politics/ migrants- guantanamo- costs. html.
Perla Trevizo and Jeremy Schwartz, Records Show Trump'' Border Wall Is Costing Taxpayers Billions More Than Initial Contracts, PROPUBEICA( Oct. 27, 2020), https:// www. propublica. org/ article/ records- show- trumps- border- wall- is-costing-taxpayers-billions- more-than-initial- contracts.
JoshuaBarajas,A SecondMigrant Child Died in U.S. Custody ThisMonth. Here's What WeKnow., PBS NEWS Dec. 28, 2018), https://www. pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-second-migrant- child- died-in-u-s-custody-this-month- heres- what- we- know.
Jazmme Ulloa, Family Seeks$ 15 Million in Death ofMigrant Girl in U.S. Custody, N. Y. TIMES ( May 1, 2025), https:// www. nytimes. com/ 2025/ 05/ 0 1/us/ niigrant- girl- death- cbp- dainages. htnil.
June 1, 2023 Update: Death in Custody of 8-Year-Old in Harlingen, Texas,U. S. CUSTOMSANDBORDER PROTECTION(June 1, 2023), https://www. cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/June-1-2023-update-death- custody- 8-year- old- harlingen- texas.
3 amendment would have provided CBP the funding it needs to ensure adequate health care for detainees, but Republicans rejected the amendment.
Dismantling DHS
Committee Republicans did not just oppose commonsense amendments to stop cruel deportations. They also rejected amendments aimed at ending the Trump administration' s wholesale dismantling of the Nation' s homeland security and disaster response and recovery enterprise.
Republicans Wish to Abolish FEMA
The Republican reconciliation package completely neglects the fact that the Trump administration has startedexecuting a plan to abolish FEMA. SecretaryNoem and other officials in the Trump administration continue to openly discuss dismantling FEMA, which is the one agency dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.' In a March 2025 televised Cabinet meeting, Secretary Noem even proudly declared, " We' re going to eliminate FEMA."' SecretaryNoem' sremarks on eliminating FEMA come at a time when reports sayFEMA will be short staffed by 20 percent at the start of hurricane season, largely due to Elon Musk' s staffing schemesand politically motivated firings.' o
In addition to weakening the FEMA workforce, the administration is unlawfully withholding billions of Federal disaster response, flood mitigation, and wildfire prevention grant funding even as court orders have instructed the Agency to immediately disburse the funding." Committee Republicans rejected an amendment offered by Rep. Pou that would have prohibited implementing a processthat delays or withholds the disbursementof funds made available in the measure. In April, the Trump administration announced that it was canceling nearly $ 4. 5 billion in mitigation funding awards to communities acrossthe country in from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities ( BRIC) program— which is congressionally authorized and appropriated funding for mitigation projects.' Furthermore, political retribution is reportedly influencing key FEMA decisions on the allocation of assistance and determining which communities receive aid. Reportedly, FEMA employees are now saying that the Agency is politicizing" grant funds and disaster assistance like we' ve never seen before."" Committee Republicans unanimously rejected all the amendments offered by Democrats that would have addressed the Trump administration' s planned elimination of FEMA and the Thomas Frank, FEMA halts grant program that spent billions on disaster protection, E& E NEWS (Apr. 4, 2025), https:// www. cenews. net/ article s/fema- halts- grant- program- that- spent- billions- on- disaster- protection/.
Id.
10 Gabe Cohen, FF. AdA losing roughly 20% of permanent staff, including longtime leaders, ahead of hurricane season, CNN( Apr. 23, 2025), https:// www. cnn. com/ 2025/ 04/ 23/politics/ fema- staff- cuts- hurricane- season/ index. html.
Zach Schonfeld, Judge finds FF. AdA withholding grants in violation of court order, THE HIES( Apr. 4, 2025), https://theliill. com/regulatior/ court-battles/5232494judge- fema-grants-trump- blue-states/. 12 Gabe Cohen& Annie Grayer, Whenbillions in emergencyfunds were stalled, the Trump administration sped FEM money to some GOP-led states, CNN( Apr. 22, 2025), https://www. cnn.com/2025/04/22/politics/ fema- money- slowed- trump/ index. html.
13Id.
4 deleterious decisions at the Agency, including an amendment offered by Resident Commissioner Hernandezthat would have explicitly included the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, local, Tribal, and other territorial entities within the title' s Homeland Security Grant Program section. This markup was another missed opportunity for the Committee to do its part to address the misguided effort to dismantle FEMA. At a minimum, Committee Republicans are complicit in the Trump administration' s assault on Federal disaster relief and emergency support for Americans.
DHS Mismanagement
The Trump administration has paired dismantling DHS with mismanaging it. Committee Democrats attempted to draw highlight Republican failures to uphold the rule of law, strengthen cybersecurity, protect DHS systems from foreign interference through the official use of commercial messagingappslike Signal to shareoperationally sensitive information, and protect DHS workers.
Respect for the Rule of Law
Republicans' reconciliation package gives massive amounts of money to the Trump administration without accountability or guardrails to protect the Constitution and laws of the United States. The Trump administration has repeatedly engaged in activities that conflict with decisions and orders of American courts, including the SupremeCourt of the United States.14For example, the Trump administration wrongfully deported a Maryland man despite an immigration judge having granted him a withholding of removal.15The SupremeCourt steppedin and ordered the Trump administration to " facilitate" the man' s release from custody in El Salvador and ensurethat his caseis handled as it would have beenhad he not beenimproperly deported.16The Trump administration has ignored the Supreme Court," and President Trump has said that he doesnot know whether he is required to comply with the Constitution.18 There is no doubt that the Trump administration has— and will continue to— ignore the courts and Constitution. The reconciliation package essentially funds the Trump administration' s lawlessness, and Republicans rejected Rep. Thanedar's amendments to prevent DHS funding from being used to engage in actions that conflict with court opinions or orders. Republicans are willing to spendtaxpayer dollars on the diminution of the courts, laws, and Constitution of the United States, despite Democratic and democratic objections. 14See, e.g., Peter Kafka, Donald Trump is Shrugging Off the SupremeCourt. TheseAre Uncharted Waters., BUSINESSINSIDER(Apr. 15,2025), https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump- defies-supreme-court-dangerous- precedent- why- 2025- 4.
Alan Feuer& Karoun Demirjian, What to Know About the Deportation ofAbrego Garcia to El Salvador, N. Y.
TIMES ( Apr. 21, 2025), https:// www. nytimes. com/ article/ abrego- garcia- trump- deportations- el- salvador. htnil. 16 Trump a J. G. G., et al., 604 U. S. ( 2025).
Alan Feuer& Aishvarya Kavi, White House Continues Defiant Stance on Seeking Return of Deported Man, N. Y.
TIMES ( Apr. 11, 2025), https:// www. nytimes. com/ 2025/ 04/ 11/us/politics/ us- maiyland- man- deportation- delay. htnil.
Amanda Terkel& Lawrence Hurley, Trump,Asked If He Has to ` Uphold the Constitution,' Says, I Don t Know', NBC NEWS (May 4, 2025), https://www. nbcnews.com/politics/ trump- admiristration/ trump- asked-uphold- constitution- says-dont- know- rcna204580.
5 Ignoring Cybersecurity
On the matter of cybersecurity, once again, Republicans say one thing a do another. Despite the Chairman's pronouncement that the 119th Congresswould be devoted to improving the Nation' s cybersecurity, there is not one penny in the Homeland Security Committee' s reconciliation title devoted to the issue. And, although the Committee did not allocate the full $ 90 billion allotted to it in the budget resolution, Republicans unanimously rejected an amendment offered by Rep.
Magaziner that would have provided funding to rehire and retain highly sought-after employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency ( CISA) the Trump administration indiscriminately fired or harassedinto quitting in order to pass off the savings as tax cuts to billionaires. They also rejected an amendment by Rep. Swalwell that would have barred the Department from including veterans— among best trained and most devoted public employeesin the Federal Government— from being included in reductions in force.
If the Chairman is waiting to find his so-called " cyber border" before investing in cybersecurity, he will be waiting a long time, and Americans will pay the price. This tone-deaf reconciliation package ignores serious threats facing the Nation— including cyber threats from Russia, China and its typhoon campaign, Iran, and cyber criminals— while turning a blind eye to the administration' s reckless dismantling of America' s cybersecurity agency. From election security, to threat hunting, to security by design, the Trump administration is gutting the core services CISA offers governments and the private sector alike, and Committee Republicans do not care.
Failing the Workforce
The Republican reconciliation package provides tens of billions of dollars to DHS for border security at the same time as the Trump administration undermines the government workers who actually protect the homeland. Rep. Correa proposed an amendment to prohibit DHS from using its funding to harm homeland security workers by undermining or canceling collective bargaining agreements, but Republicans rejected that amendment. Meanwhile, President Trump issued an executive order undermining collective bargaining at DHS agencieslike USCIS and ICE,19and SecretaryNoem announcedthat DHS would cancel its collective bargaining agreementwith the union representing TSA Officers.20The Republican reconciliation scam is a giveaway that will harm workers, and Republicans are complicit.
Drug Trafficking
The Republican reconciliation package seeks to combat drug trafficking across our borders but fails to addressthe very things that fuel drug traffickers: guns and bulk cash. Firearms and bulk amounts of cash are consistently smuggled out of America and into Mexico. The outbound now of weapons and cashto fuel cartel violence is a real threat. Justrecently, CBP officers in Del Rio seized nine weapons, 260 rounds of ammunition, 24 magazines, and weapons' components 19Exclusion from Federal Labor- Management Relations Programs, Exec. Order No. 14251 (Mar. 27, 2025), https:// www. wWtehouse. gov/ presidential- actions/ 2025/ 03/ exclusions- from- federal- labor- management- relations- programs/.
20Justin Doubleday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi NoemIs Ending Collective Bargaining at TSAand Seeking to Prevent Future Administrations from Granting Union Rights to TSOs,FEDERALNEWSNETWORK(Mar. 7, 2025), https:// federalnewsnetwork. com/ urions/ 2025/ 03/ dhs- moves- to- end- collective- bargaining- for- tsa- officers/. 6 hidden in two vehicles traveling to Mexico.' A few weeks prior, officers at the same port of entry found 16 firearms, including three assault rifles, 26 magazines, and 182 rounds of ammunition hidden in another van." Moreover, in Texas, CBP officers recently seized over 270,000 dollars in unreported currency from a single Toyota headed to Mexico. 23The seized weapons and cash could have easily gone into the hands of cartel members, furthering drug trafficking and other criminal operations. Without a mandate and resourcesfor CBP to improve its outbound inspections program, the administration' s crackdown on the drug trade is mere talk.
Securing the southern border and countering drug trafficking means making sure U. S. officials are inspecting both what is entering and what is leaving the country, and the Republican legislation fails to address the latter.
Signalgate
Foreign intelligence services work around the clock to gain accessto sensitive U. S. homeland and national security information. The targeting of senior government officials to elicit such information is one method used by foreign adversariesto do this. On March 24, our foreign adversaries learned that they may not have to work so hard to target the most senior national security officials in the country when it was revealed that the highest-ranking Trump administration officials had used the commercial messaging app Signal to discuss highly sensitive and classified information and inadvertently added a journalist to the text message chain.
The Trump administration and House Republicans want the American people to believe that nothing classified was discussedon these chats, but the American people know better. It is clear from the lack of investigations and introduced articles of impeachment related to the egregious national security breach— and Mike Waltz' s recent promotion to nominee for UN ambassador that House Republicans and the Trump administration could not care less about protecting information that, if disclosed, could damageour national security and harm our U. S. service men and women. This is also evident from the fact that the Republican reconciliation package allocated zero dollars for DHS counterintelligence programs, projects, or activities to detect, deter, and disrupt foreign intelligence threats.
u CBP officers seizenine weapons, 260 rounds of ammunition, 24 magazines, and weapon components in less than 72 hours at Del Rio Port of Entry, U. S. CUSTOMSAND BORDER PROTECTION( Apr. 10, 2025), https://www. cbp.gov/newsroomAocal-media-release/cbp-officers- seize-nine-weapons-260-rounds-ammunition- 24- magazines- and.
22 CBP officers seize16 weapons, 26 magazines, 182 rounds of ammunition at Del Rio Port of Entry, U. S.
CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION( Mar. 18, 2025),
https:// www. cbp. gov/ newsroomAocal- media- release/ cbp- officers- seize- 16-weapons- 26- magazines- 182- rounds- ammunition- del.
23 CBP officers seizeover$ 270K in unreported currency at Hidalgo International Bridge, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION( Apr. 8, 2025), https://www. cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-officers- seize- over- 270k- unreported- currency- hidalgo- international. 7 Conclusion
Committee Republicans chose silence over addressing pressing concerns regarding unlawful deportations, the haphazarddismantling of DHS without legislative mandate, and the amateurish mismanagement of the Department. They have chosen to spend $ 69 billion in hard- earned taxpayer money to make more palatable deep cuts to Medicaid and to cut the taxes of billionaires.
Regardless of what these funds in the reconciliation package could potentially do if put in the right hands, the Trump administration hasproven itself incompetent andunreliable at best and an enemy of the Constitution and Congress' s power of the purse at worst. Trump and Noem are unconstitutionally dismantling DHS— firing hundreds of civil servants, freezing grants, eliminating the watchdogs who protect Americans, and failing to respond to Hurricane Helene' s devastationin North Carolina. There is no guaranteethat the money included this packagewould be spent the way it is laid out in the Committee Print— or anywhere else in the Republican legislative agenda. Moreover, congressional Republicans have also proven themselves wholly incapable of any oversight of this administration. Even worse, the Homeland Security Committee has embarked on this massive spending plan without having first held a hearing with Secretary Noem and scrutinizing her priorities and the Department' s needs. The Committee scheduled its first meeting with the Secretaryfor more than 2 weeks after marking up this funding package.
The Republican reconciliation measurespendsbillions of taxpayer dollars and puts Americans' security at risk— all while cutting Medicaid to give tax cuts to billionaires and large corporations.
Homeland Security Democrats strongly opposethis recklessRepublican rip- off.
Sincerely,
Bennie G. Thompson
Member of Congress
Ranking Member, Committee
on Homeland Security
Eric Swalwell J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress Member of Congress
8 Shri Thanedar Se)6 Magazin
Member of Congress Nfember of Congress
Dan Goldman Delia C. Ramirez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Timothy V. Kennedy onica McIver
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Julie Johnson Pablo J e Hernandez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Ne ie Pou Troy A. Carter, Sr.
Mem of Congress Member of Congress
Robert Garcia
Member of Congress
9 10
Congre, 5.5 of the uniteb * tate. 5
Va oington, M(f 20515
June 23, 2025
The Honorable Pete Hegseth The Honorable Pamela Bondi
Secretary of Defense Attorney General
1400 Defense Pentagon 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20301 Washington, DC 20530
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretaryof Homeland Security
2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20528
Secretary Hegseth, Attorney General Bondi, and Secretary Noem:
In response to unprecedented immigration raids in Los Angeles last week, which targeted individuals at their places of work and in their communities, citizens beganto assembleandprotest their government. The right to protest our government is explicitly protected under the First Amendment. While the vast majority of these protestorswere peaceful, someinstigators took the opportunity to engagein unlawful behavior. Many of those individuals were arrested by state and local law enforcement.
Despite the situation being controlled by stateandlocal law enforcement, President Trump saw an opportunity to amplify the crisis of his own creation by unilaterally and unlawfully federalizing and deploying 4,000 California National Guard troops to the streetsof Los Angeles. In addition, he deployed 700 active-duty United States Marines. The President did this without the consultation of local elected officials, law enforcement, and the Governor of California.
The Constitution and federal law provide limitations on the domestic use of the National Guard. Article I, Section 8, Clauses 15 and 16provide that Congresshasthe authority to organize, arm, and call the militia to execute laws, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions.' Congresshasdelegatedsomeof its authority to the President including under 10 U. S. C. § 12406, which the administration cited asits legal justification.' This authority contains specific proceduresand conditions for when the President canfederalize and deploy the National Guard. This includes:
the Presidentmay call into Federal servicemembers andunits of the National Guard of any Statein such numbers as he considers necessary to repel the invasion, suppress the rebellion, or execute those laws.
Orders for these purposes shall be issued through the governors of the States or, in the caseof the District of Columbia, through the commanding general of the National Guard of the District of Columbia.'
U. S. Const. art. I, § 8, cls. 15- 16
2Memorandumfrom thePresident,DepartmentofDefenseSecurityfor theProtectionof Departmentof HomelandSecurity Functions, at 1 ( June 7, 2025),
hUs:// www. wWtehouse. oov/presidential- actions/ 2025/ 06/ department- of- defense- security- for- the- protection- of- department- of- homela nd- securi - functions/
3 10 U. S. C. § 12406( 3)
At no time did the Governor of California issue orders to the California National Guard asrequired by federal law. The actions of President Trump appear to be in clear violation of the plain text of the statute.
We therefore are calling for an immediate investigation into whether federal law was violated in federalizing and deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles. We also are calling for a full investigation and review of the legal checks and processes carried out prior to the execution of a military order to ensure such orders are lawful.
The federal government, including the executive branch, is constrained by the powers given to it in the Constitution andfederal statute. It is imperative that actionstaken by this administration, like all administrations, fall within the bounds of the law.
Thank you for your immediate consideration andwe expectan appropriate responseto thesequestionsin the near future.
Sincerely,
Mike Thompson Nancy Pelosi
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Norma J. Torres Nanette Diaz Barragan
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Ami Bera, M. D. Julia Brownley
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J y Chu J. Luis Correa
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Mark DeSaulnier Robert Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
rT
y Go ez ed Huffman
ember of Congress Member of Congress
Ted W. Lieu Doris Matsui
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Uimy
anetta Brad Sherman
mb r of Congress Member of Congress
Lateefah Kimon Eric Swalwell
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Juk Vargas
Member of Congress
CC: Office of White House Counsel
Congre, 5.5 of the uniteb * tate. 5
Va oington, M(f 20515
April 11, 2025
The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D. C. 20528
Dear Secretary Noem,
We write with extreme concernregarding the visit of Department of Homeland Security personnelto Los Angeles Unified SchoolDistrict( LAUSD) elementary schools on April 7t'', 2025. We demandthat you provide our offices with thejustification for conducting this operation, andthat you desistfrom immigration enforcement activity targeting children who pose no threat to public safety.
Your Department has claimed that members of the Trade Fraud Group from Homeland Security Investigations HSI) visited RusselElementary andLillian Elementary in Florence- Firestone, Los Angeles to conduct welfare checkson children. Agents attemptedto enterboth schoolswithout warrants, andwere rightly turned away by LAUSD staff, in accordancewith the Family Educational Rights andPrivacy Act, and local policies. LAUSD staff have informed us that the four students targeted at Russell Elementary were not, in fact, unaccompanied minors.
This raises serious questions about the truthfulness of your Department, and the safety of our constituents.
While you claim that your policy was designedto protect children, you have beena vocal defender of Donald Trump' s family separation policy.' We note that just days after this incident, the Supreme Court unanimously ordered the administration to facilitate the return of an innocent Maryland resident with legal status, who was deported to prison El Salvador after utterly baseless allegations that he was involved in gang activity.
Further, your Department haselectedto end critical safeguardswhich protect schools, housesof worship and other sensitive locations from immigration enforcement activity. This policy is completely at odds with your claim to be protecting children. Schoolsmust be safe spacesfor the children they serve. The United States SupremeCourt hasruled that all studentshave a right to a public education, no matter their immigration status.
If parentsand children cannot accessschoolswithout fear of deportation or harassment, you deny that right.
In light of these facts, we note with particular concern that according to LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, School employees asked your agents for identification. However, when challenged, agents pocketed their IDs and refused to allow staff to write down names and badge numbers. Further, LASUD staff report that your agents falsely claimed to have permission from students' guardians to enter the school. Superintendent Carvalho stated, however that LAUSD staff had " spoken with the caretakers of these children, in some cases, parents, andthey deny any interaction with theseentities and certainly deny providing authorization for these individuals."
z
If your agentsattemptedto concealtheir identities, attemptedto enter school facilities on false pretenses, or attemptedto lie to LAUSD staff, you undermine public safety. If you falsely claim to be conducting welfare Grabenstein H. ( 2025, January 17). WATCH: Blumenthal and Noem sparover family separationat the border. PBS NewsHour. https://www. pbs.org/newshour/politics/ watch-blumenthal- and-noem-spar-over-family- separation-at-the-border Dale, M.,& Brenneman, R. (2025, April 10). Homeland Security agentsattempted to enter 2 LAUSD schools. Here's what families should know. LAist. https:// Iaist. com/ news/ education/ homeland- security- immigration- lausd- schools- trump- administration
checkswhile actually targeting children for deportation, you undermine willingness to cooperatewith law enforcement, provoke fear, and undermine public trust.
We therefore demand that your provide a briefing to our offices to prove your claims about the agency' s operations. Actions which target innocent children are completely unacceptable. We are committed to protecting all law- abiding residents of our communities and will continue to hold you accountable.
Sincerely,
Robert Garcia Brad Sherman
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J. Luis Correa Nanette Diaz Barragan
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JOY Chu Julia Brownley
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Linda T. Sanchez Derek T. Tran
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Syd mla - ove Norma J. Torres
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J' y Go ez uz ivas
ember of Congress Member of Congress
Ted Lieu Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JUAVargas oe Lofgren
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Laura Friedman
Memer
itesides
Member of Congress Congress
Congre, 5,5 of the uniteb * tate. 5
Va5oington, ME 20513
June 10, 2025
PresidentDonald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D. C. 20500
RE: Deployment of National Guard Troops to Los Angeles
Mr. President,
We are writing to express grave concern regarding the deployment of the National Guard and the activation of 700 Marines to Los Angeles. These actions were taken without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom and over the objections of local law enforcement. It constitutes a clear violation of constitutional principles andlaw, and a grave overreachof executive authority.
On June 6 and 7, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) carried out a series of immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles, which were met with widespreadpublic protests.
On the evening of June 7, you issued a formal memorandum titled " Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Department of Homeland Security Functions," authorizing the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard personnelto Los Angeles for a 60-day period.
This action bypassedthe stategovernor' s authority and proceededdespiteactive objections from local law enforcement already managing the situation. By the time National Guard troops arrived on Sundaymorning, protestshad largely subsided, andthe streetswere calm. Instead, the National Guard presence contributed to a renewed escalation of tensions. The overwhelming majority of protestors have done so peacefully. State and local authorities have already said that they can and will arrest and prosecute the very few who have committed acts of violence.
This deployment does not appear to be motivated by any public safety emergency that could not be dealt with successfully by local authorities. Instead, it coincides with a broader federal enforcement escalation involving mass ICE raids, militarized immigration tactics, and the use of tear gas and riot control methods in civilian areas. These actions undermine civil liberties, destabilize communities, erode public trust in government institutions, and violate the law.
Your memorandum cited 10 U. S. C. § 12406 as the legal basis for your actions. That provision allows the President to call the National Guard into federal service only in three specific circumstances:
1) the United States, or any of the Commonwealths or possessions, is invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation;
2) there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States; or
3) the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States 10 U. S. C. § 12406also requires that" Ordersfor thesepurposesshall be issuedthrough the governors of the States." None of these enumerated circumstances exist and no order was issued through the governor of our state. Therefore, your order is plainly unlawful.
In addition, on June8, U.S. Northern Command announcedthe activation of 700 active-duty U. S. Marines to the Los Angeles area under the same Task Force. The deployment of active- duty Marines marks a significant escalationin the federal government's response, blurring the line between military and civilian law enforcement roles. The deployment of active- duty military personnelinto domestic operationsraises seriouslegal and constitutional questions. Marines are trained for combat, not law enforcement. The introduction of Marines in securing largely peaceful protestsis an unnecessaryescalationin a situation that hasalready beeninflamed because of escalatory actions.
As federal officials we must prioritize de-escalation and adherence to the constitutional principles that govern the balanceof power betweenfederal and stateand local governments. For these reasons, we urge you to immediately withdraw the National Guard and U. S. Marines from Los Angeles and to refrain from further deployments of any military personnel in circumstances that violate constitutional boundaries and escalate domestic tensions.
Sincerely,
rT
y Go ez Adam B. Schiff Nanette Diaz Barragan
ember of Congress United States Senator Member of Congress Nancy Pelosi Zoe Lofgren
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Linda T. Sanchez Mark Takano
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Derek T. Tran Ted W. Lieu
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Sydn mla ove Dave Min
Member of Congress Member of Congress
tebeJar
s Kevin Mullin
f Congress Member of Congress
Salud Carbajal Mark DeSaulnier
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Mike Thompson Jim Costa
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Umb
anetta Luz . ivas
r of Congress Member of Congress
Norma J. Torres Ami Bera, M. D.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Julia Brownley Sa rdo
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J. Luis Correa Laura Friedman
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Ro Khanna Raul Ruiz, M. D.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Scott H. Peters Doris Matsui
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Brad Sherman Gilbert Ray Cisneros, J
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Mike Levin Pete Aguilar
Member of Congress Member of Congress
ed Huffman Eric Swalwell
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Lateefah Mmon JAWChu
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Member of Congress Member of Congress
John Garamendi Robert Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
GlorRhitesides
Member of Congress
CC: Secretary Pete Hegseth, U. S. Department of Defense ongress of Hir Uniteb gtafes
asilingtoll, ME 203515
May 6, 2025
The Honorable Joseph V. Cuffari
Inspector General
U. S. Department of Homeland Security
245 Murray Lane SW
Washington, DC 20528
Dear Inspector General Cuffari:
We write to requestan immediate investigation into the conditions andpractices at immigration detention facilities in the stateof Louisiana, particularly thoseusedby U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) in partnership with private prison contractors.
Over the past severalmonths, multiple reports have emergeddocumenting seriousviolations of dueprocess, endangermentof vulnerable individuals, and systemic neglect of medical andlegal obligations within Louisiana' s immigration detention system. These include:
The expedited deportation of asylum- seeking mothers— some with U. S. citizen children and children undergoing active cancer treatment— without notice, legal review, or opportunity for family contact.'
Reports of detaineesbeing held in hotel rooms and stagingfacilities with no accessto attorneys, family, or medical careprior to deportation.
Allegations of medical neglect, including women experiencing miscarriageswithout care, patients with cancerleft untreated, and children detainedin adult facilities.
Serious claims of abuse, including sexual misconduct by staff againstwomen wearing religious attire.
A pattern of ICE and facility officials obstructing legal representation, withholding information about detainees' whereabouts, and operating with little to no oversight.
These conditions are not isolated but reflect a larger breakdown in DHS' s detention operations in Louisiana. According to civil rights attorneys and local monitors, thousandsof people pass through these facilities annually, the vast majority without legal representation, independent medical evaluation, or basic human dignity.'
Levy, M. ( 2025, April 26). Mothers deported by U.S. say they didn' t know they were giving up their children. AP News. https:// apnews. com/ article/ immigration- mothers- deported- d8c5cO353cl8e9eeOc228eal5eO2d759 zRobert F. Kennedy Human Rights( 2024, August 26). Inside the black hole: Systemichuman rights abusesagainst immigrants detained& disappeared in Louisiana.
https:// www. laaclu. org/ sites/ default/ files/ inside— the— black hole V stemic_ human_ rights_ abuses_against_ immigrant s detained disappeared in louisiana.pdf
s
Mass, L.,& Yanik, M. ( 2025, April 29). Opinion I Immigrants From Around the Countty Keep Getting Detained in Louisiana. The New York Times. hUs:// www. Mtimes. com/2025/04/29/opinion/ immigrants- louisiana-ice- detention. html
2 We urge your office to open an immediate investigation into:
1. The treatment of medically vulnerable and minor detainees in ICE custody in Louisiana;
2. The legality and due processimplications of rapid deportation tactics anduse of staging facilities;
3. Oversight failures in privately operateddetention facilities under DHS contract;
4. Compliance with ICE detention standards, federal law, and international human rights norms;
5. Any retaliation or obstruction faced by attorneys and advocates attempting to represent detainees.
Given the gravity and scopeof the allegations, your prompt attention is critical. The American people deserve transparency and accountability from the institutions that enforce our immigration laws. Most importantly, the individuals in our custody deservehumanetreatment and a lawful process.
Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide an expected timeline for your office' s response.
Sincerely,
Ritchie Torres driano Espaillat
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Gilbert Ray isneros, Jr. o uin Castro
Member of Congress ember of Congress
R' bert J. Menendez Salud Carbajal
Member of Congress Member of Congress
J. Luis Correa J sus G. " Chuy" Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
3 T y Godiez a to J Hernandez
mber of Congress Member of Congress
Delia C. Ramirez 6 Darren Soto
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Sy via R. Garcia Nanette Diaz Aarragdn
Member of Cong ss Member of Congress
G ar Robert arcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Raul Ruiz, M. D. JuAVargas
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Nydi . Veldzquez % Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Rashida Tlaib Cle
Member of Congress Member of Congress
4 Betty Aceollum Becca Balint
Member of Congress Member of Congress
O? rold Nadler J n chakowsky
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Henry C. " Han Johnson J .. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Member of Congress Member of Congress
onica cIver Danny K. avis
Member of Congress Member of Congress
athan L.
JacYss
n YvetteD. Clarke
ember of Con Member of Congress
e y M son Shri Thanedar
Member of Congress Member of Congress
Laura Friedman W. Meeks
Member of Congress Member of Congress
5 race eng Y samin Ansari
Member of Congress NVmber of Congress
Carter, Sr.
Member of Congress
House Rules Committee Testimony 5/ 21/ 25
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member, the hour is late. You should get the Marco Polo Award, not for distance but rather for stamina. 19 hours. I do have 5 amendments. I' m going to be brief, but these amendments are very important.
These deal with a very important American issue which is immigration. My first amendment, number 59, will deal with our men and women in uniform. Less than 1% of Americans serve in our armed forces. Imagine a situation where a soldier stationed overseas, all of a sudden he gets a phone call that his spouse has been arrested by ICE and deported because he or she is undocumented. That is not the way we want to treat our soldiers or men and women in uniform. They make enough sacrifices, but to have their spouses deported is unconscionable and un- American. My amendment would simply say that the Secretary of Homeland Security may not use any funds under this subtitle to remove an alien who is a spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty. This is an important issue. I hope this committee will look upon it as an important issue for men and women in uniform.
Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, my second amendment, number 61, deals with immigration as well. Question is, why would ICE agents go to schools, elementary schools to enforce ICE laws to deport individuals. Why would you want to terrorize children? My amendment simply says none of the funds made available by this title may be used to conduct an immigration enforcement action at an elementary school. Why in God' s name would ICE show up to an elementary school? To threaten to deport children.
Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, my third amendment, number 64, deals with those men and women who defend our country, Homeland Security officers at our borders, at our ports of entry. And what we ask is you respect their collective bargaining rights. My amendment says that none of the funds made available by this title may be used to undermine or cancel any collective bargaining agreements covering an employee of the Department of Homeland Security. Again here, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, we have individuals that sometimes work 16- hour shifts because it' s so short in terms of personnel. They deserve to be represented by a collective bargaining contract.
Chairman and Ranking Member, my next amendment, number 230. We often say in this country, all gave some and many made the ultimate sacrifice when we' re honoring our veterans. Again, less than 1% of Americans actually serve our nation. A lot of our veterans go off and fight, come backwith invisible wounds that later on turn into PTSD and they get into trouble with the law. A lot of these veterans, Green card holders, when they join the military, are promised that they will be American citizens when they are honorably discharged. Such is not the case. Veterans that take an oath to United States of America, veterans that are ready to lay it all down, make the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And then they' re deported. Because they' re found guilty of a crime involving moral turpitude, Mr.
Chairman, my bill simply says none of the funds made available by this subtitle may be used to remove from the United States a veteran who was honorably discharged unless an immigration judge has determined after weighing all equities that that individual should be removed. All I'm asking is, before you deport this veteran, look at his whole history of service to our to our country.
And finally, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member, my final amendment essentially says that no amount of money in this subtitle should be used or can be used to deport or remove an individual to a country other than the country of that individual' s nationality or last habitual residence unless a removal order to that country is issued by immigration judge. ongr of fl) v Tbiltrb btateo
June 16, 2025
The Honorable John Thune
Senate Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D. C. 20510
The Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker of the House
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
Dear Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson,
We write to expressour profound concern regarding the shocking and deeply troubling mistreatment of United States Senator Alex Padilla on Thursday, June 12, at the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles. While visiting the building for a scheduledbriefing with military officials, SenatorPadilla attemptedto ask a question during a pressconferencebeing held by Department of Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noem in the same building.
As hasbeenwidely reported and documented, SenatorPadilla was thrown to the ground, handcuffed, and forcibly restrainedby agentsof the U.S. SecretService and the Federal Bureau of Investigation while attempting to lawfully exercisehis constitutional and congressionalauthority to question a senior official of the current administration.
Senator Padilla clearly identified himself and was acting within his rights as a Member of Congress. The use of force against a sitting senator— in a federal building, during official business— is a gravebreach of protocol. It is also a potential violation of separationof powers andraises alarming questionsaboutthe conduct of federal law enforcementagencies, the coordination of protective services, andthe administration' s posture toward congressional oversight.
This unprecedented incident is not simply an affront to security protocol— it is a constitutional issue— as these actions may constitute an assault on a sitting senator. If members of the United States Senate can be physically restrainedfor seekinganswersfrom executive officials, it setsa dangerousprecedentfor the independenceof the legislative branch.
We look forward to your swift and decisive action to uphold the dignity and authority of Congress.
Sincerely,
Adriano Espaillat Hakeem JeffriU Adam B. Schiff
Chair Member of Congress United States Senator
Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Charles E. Schumer Pete Aguilar Linda T. Sanchez
United States Senator Member of Congress Member of Congress Nanette Diaz Barragan Norma J. Torres Sam I Liccardo
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Gilbert Ray Cisneros, J Salud Carbajal Robert Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Raul Ruiz, M. D. Luz Ted W. Lieu
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Huffman Mike Thompson John Garamendi
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Mark DeSaulnier Lateefah Kimon Adam Gray
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Eric Swalwell Kevin Mullin Ro Khanna
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Zoe Lofgren
Umbtr
myanetta Jim Costa
Member of Congress of Congress Member of Congress
Julia Brownley J y Chu Laura Friedman
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress r
y Go ez J. Luis Correa Brad Sherman
ber of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress
Maxine Waters Derek T. Tran Dave Min
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Mike Levin ar Ja s J n Vargas
Member of Congress e ber f Congress Member of Congress
Richard J. Durbin Ben Ray Lujan Catherine Cortez Masto
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator o etterman Jeanne Shaheen Ja Rosen
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Christopher A. Coons Cory A. Booker MarOKelly
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Tim Kaine Jeffrey erkley Angela Alsobrooks
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Patty ur y Martin Heinrich Lisa Blunt Rochester
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Mark R. Warner Elizabeth Warren Mazie K. Hirono
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Richard Blumenthal Amy K uchar Peter Welch
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Angus S. King, Jr. Ron Wyden Bernard Sanders
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Andy Kim Michael F. Bennet Tamm uckworth
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Ja k eed ammy haldwin Jo n Hickenlooper
United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Chris Van Hollen Christopher S. Murph Sheldon Whitehouse United States Senator United States Senator United States Senator Eleanor Holmes Norton Ritchie Torres Kweisi Mfume
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Sheila Cherfilus- McCormick J nifer L. McClellan R in L. Kelly Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress samin Ansari Sean Casten Gab asque
ember of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Julie Johnson Shri Thanedar Bonnie Watson Coleman
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Wesfey'nlefF Val Hoyle Maxine Dexter
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress NydiJA4. Velazquez Debbie Dingell Donald Norcross
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress J sus G. " Chuy" Garcia Joe Courtney Werna Williams
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Maia Krishn moorthi Delia C. Ramirez Q Melanie Stansbury Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress nathan L. Jac on h B. Larson\ mie Raskin
e Jmberof Congress e ber of Congress Member of Congress Paul Tonko Veronica Escobar o uin Castro
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Darren Soto chakowsky U S via R. Garcia
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress has Subrifmanyam Angie Craig Geg LAdsman
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress manuel Cleaver, II Alma S. Adams, Ph. D. on"iic_a11McIver Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Becca Balint Betty NT7Collum Pramila Jayapal
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Mark Pocan Kelly Mofson T resa Leger Fernandez
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Kristen McDonald Rivet gephen F. Lynch Pablo J e Hernandez Member of Congress Acting Ranking Member Member of Congress Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform
James P. McGovern Frank Pallone, Jr. Troy A. Carter, Sr.
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Suza . DelBene Gwen S. Moore Shontel M. Brown
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Steve Cohen Rosa L. DeLauro Kathy Cas or
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress George L timer Ne ' e Pou Robert J. Menendez
Member of Congress Mem of Congress Member of Congress
William R. Keating Haley M. Nevens Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress enn Ivey Seth Moulton Andre arson
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Brendan F. Boyle Eric Sor nsen Dina Titus
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Lori Trahan Bill Foster Emily RaAAll
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Deborah K. Ross Kim Schrier, M. D. Thomas R. Suozzi
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Lloyd Doggett Greg Stanton Henry C. " Han ' Johnson, Jr.
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Gabe Arno
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use Robert C. " Bobb cott
Member of Congress Mem of Congress Member of Congress
McBride Katherine M. Clark Chris Pappas
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Marc A. Ve a`se Andrea Salinas Ed Case
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Janelle S. Bynum Jos ley
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W.
MannioMemberof Congress Member of Congress of Congress
Ja na Hayes Greg Casar J' Tokuda
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress m Hi es Brittany Pet' ersen Joseph D. Morelle
Me er of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Ilhan Omar Dan Goldman E ene Simon Vindman
Member of Congress Member of Congress ember of Congress Rick Larsen Chris Deluzio vMike Quigley
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of CongVess Mary Gay Scanlon Lizzie Fletcher Se Magazin
Member of Congress Member of Congress XTember of Congress Frederica S. Wilson April McClain Delaney o ceMeatty
Member of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Jasmi rockett Bennie G. Thompson ZFe Auchincloss
Membe of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Susie Lee Su nne Bonamici
Member of Congress Member of Congress
masbinaturi, 33.t, 20515
June 25, 2025
The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro
Comptroller General
U. S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street N. W. Washington, DC 20548
Dear Comptroller General Dodaro:
We are writing to requesta formal Government Accountability Office ( GAO) investigation into potential violations of theAntideficiency Act( Public Law 97-258) by U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement( ICE) in connection with incidents that occurred on June 7, 2025, at the Roybal FederalBuilding in Los Angeles.
During a Congressionaldelegation oversight visit to this federal immigration detention facility, ICE unlawfully denied Congressionalaccessto the facility in direct violation of Section 527(a) of Division C of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 ( Public Law 118- 47), as incorporated by Full- Year Continuing Appropriations and ExtensionsAct, 2025 (Public Law 119- 4). Section 527(a) preventsfunding from being usedto prevent Members of Congressfrom conducting oversight" of" any facility used to detain or otherwise house aliens...". We believe these actions violate the Anti- Deficiency Act.
We have attachedthe subsequentletter Rep. Torres sentto the Secretarylaying out the eventsof that day. We have continued to requestaccessto the building, including offering to work around their schedule, and have been categorically denied entry. While Members of Congress have been granted safeaccessto conduct oversight of federal funds in places suchas active war zonesin Ukraine, DHS hasdeclaredthe federal building in Los Angeles too dangerousfor Members of Congressto visit indefinitely, regardlessof safety protocols. This pretextual denial of accessis a continued effort to mislead Congressin order to prevent appropriate oversight. The next pretextual messagefrom ICE noted that the Agency is too busy to facilitate member visits to Field Offices.
We are specifically concernedthat ICE may haveviolated the Antideficiency Act by:
1. Using appropriated funds for activities not authorized by Congress, including the deployment of chemical agentsagainstMembers of Congressconducting lawful oversight;
2. Expending funds in a manner that contravenesexplicit Congressionalprohibitions regarding denial of access to facilities; and
3. Potentially exceedingauthorized spendinglimits through unauthorized operational activities.
Given the severity of these allegations and as our delegation included a member of the House Appropriations Committee with oversight responsibility for congressionally appropriated funding, including ICE funding, we believe a thorough GAO investigation is warranted to determinewhether federal appropriations were misusedin violation of the AntidefzciencyAct.
We request that GAO conduct a comprehensive review of ICE' s expenditures and activities related to the June 7, 2025 incident and provide Congress with findings and recommendations to prevent future violations.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
y1l/
Norma J. Torres
Member of Congress
rT
y Go ez J. Luis Correa uz ivas
ember of Congress Member of Congress Member of Congress Rep. Correa House Floor Speeches 6/ 27/ 25
One Minute on Narciso Barranco
Mr. Speaker, today I rise to once again stress the need for immigration reform in this country. Just last week back home one of my taxpayer constituents, Narciso Barranco, was picked up by who I believe were I.C.E.
Agents, they were masked, and is now sitting in an I.C.E. holding facility in Los Angeles. Videos show him punched by masked federal agents unprovoked. He's lived in my district for 25 years or more, and not a traffic ticket to his name. More importantly, he has three sons, three sons all serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. You know we make movies of families like this. Three sons ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation.
And instead he' s being held in custody in an I.C.E. facility in Los Angeles. Our federal agents should be taking criminals off our streets not gentlemen like this. I pray that Mr. Barranco' s case is a wake- up call for all of us for immigration reform. Mr. Speaker, I Yield.
Floor Debate on Young Kim' s Resolution
Mr. Correa: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I ask what happened? My hometown, Santa Ana, California, predominantly Hispanic Latino. Factory workers live there. Remember? We are the biggest manufacturing state in the union.
Near shoring, guess where it' s happening? Largest ag state in the union. A lot of farm workers in my district.
What happened? One day, we are going about our business in Santa Ana, Orange County, masked federal agents start going into our neighborhoods.
Picking up hardworking neighbors. Oh, yeah, you bet people are concerned, scared, nervous. A lot of people expressed their first amendment right. We got the National Guard. Sheriff Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff, did not call for the National Guard. Local police chiefs did not call for the National Guard. We get the National Guard. President Trump promised to deport criminals, those with deportation orders, those here less than two years. But now it' s hard workers, people that pay taxes that are being picked up. Like 60% of those being picked up are now people without criminal records.
Orange County, we didn' t have any violence. We had masked officers coming into our neighborhoods. You know, I bet President Trump would want to know what' s going on on Main Street. One of the constituents that just got picked up, I talked about a minute ago, Narciso Barranco. A father of three Marines, 25 years in the U.S. We make movies of people like this. This gentleman is a hero. His family' s a hero. Instead he' s in an I.C.E. holding facility in Los Angeles. I'm hearing more stories coming. More Barranco- type families being broken up, military families being separated by their loved ones by I.C.E. I do not believe President Trump would want his legacy to be that he deported military family members like Mr. Baranco. Common sense here. This resolution is not prime time for a vote. A lot of inaccuracies. I'm going to ask my colleagues to vote no on this measure. Mr. Chairman, Mr.
Speaker, I yield.
Rep. Correa Committee on Homeland Security 5/ 14/ 25
Thank you, Mr. Secretary. First of all, Secretary Noem, welcome to this committee. I had the honor of hearing testimony from Secretary Kelly, Secretary Mayo rkas, and of course you.
Welcome. We all have the same interests which are protecting Americans, American taxpayers as we move forward in our jobs.
I want to say that your testimony and my colleague from Louisiana and myself have the same interests, which are to protect Americans, especially to protect children, especially to protect American citizen children.
That' s where my concern is, Madam Secretary, that your administration, I believe has consistently violated the law by denying due process to U.S.- born American children.
Under your watch, you' ve deported American children, U.S.- born children.
Some of the examples ... I only have five minutes to talk about it, but I'll come back to the case that was described or discussed a little while ago, which was two American children, four and seven, were put on a plane with their mother, sent to Honduras within 24 hours of being detained.
There was an attorney involved. We' re debating right now the issue, as you stated, that the mother wanted the child to go with her. But there was an attorney involved. That person was not consulted. That family was denied the opportunity to talk to that attorney. The attorney was there. What is wrong with asking the attorney? You' ve got a family that had been checking in, following ICE direction. Check in, bring your family to check in. They weren' t let out. That happens in my district all the time. Families check in to ICE. If ICE determines they should be deported, do you know what we do? I call ICE and I say give them 30 days.
Some of these families have been in this country 20, 30 years. Give them 30 days to get their situation in order. Make sure that they figure out how to keep their American children in the U. S. Give them the opportunity to make an educated decision on the lives of American citizens.
In this case and other cases, ma' am, you have split- second decisions to make a decision on those children, and you, Madam Secretary, also make split- second decisions based on whatever coerced discussion you' re havingwith that mother. I say coerced because when you' re scared to death, your life is about to change, and you' ve got an attorney next door, that you will not permit that family to consult with that attorney, you got an issue.
Case number two, two- year- old American daughter, also deported to Honduras. They were also denied access to their lawyers. According to her lawyer, ICE prevented the mother from speaking to the lawyer or anyone else in the family. Two- year- old American citizen.
Can' t we slow it down and just take a moment before they' re deported in 24 hours? The mom didn' t want the daughter to stay in the United States. They may have had relatives in the United States, family. Even the own Trump- appointed federal judge overseeing this case has said that he had a strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful due process.
Madam Secretary, I think we' re all in agreement here. Let' s go after MS- 13. Let' s go after drug dealers. Let' s go after Tren de Aragua, the bad folks who hurt my community as well as everybody else' s community.
But I fail to see where a child, two- year- old, four- year- old, seven- year- old children, could be on your top priorities for deportations. This is still America. Due process, the Fifth Amendment. Madam Secretary, I know ICE agents. I deal with them all the time. I've toured the southern border, blue uniforms, green uniforms, talking to them about what they need to do the job.
I' m more than happy to have that discussion with you, publicly or privately, but deporting US- born children, ignoring their attorneys? Take a deep breath. You' ve been here 20, 30 years. A lot of the times back home, when I ask the ICE agents give them 30 days, you know what, without fail, that person comes back or self- deports. We can do better.
Madam Secretary, I'm going to ask you one last question in nine seconds. You' re under oath. Have you fired, retired, dismissed, any DHS agents that have not followed your policies?
Kristi Noem: What kind of agents, sir?
Mr. Correa: DHS, Homeland Security, agents.
Kristi Noem: DHS agents?
Mr. Correa: Yes
Kristi Noem: Specific law enforcement officers?
Mr. Correa: Yes, ma' am. Officers underyourwatch.
Kristi Noem: I haven' t given any specific orders to any law enforcement officers under the Department of Homeland Security. So there are, within the Department of Homeland Security, 280, 000 employees, 47, 000 of them are Coast Guard individuals. So 230, 000 individuals are employees and we' re very proud of the work that they do.
IV
119Tx CONGRESS •
RES,
1ST SESSION
543
Recognizing the right to peacefully protest and condemning violence and authoritarian responses to expressions of dissent.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 25, 2025
Ms. BARRAGAN ( for herself, Mr. AGUILAR, Mr. BERA, Ms. BROWNLEY, MS.
BYNUM, Mr. CARBAJAL, Mr. CARTER of Louisiana, MS. CHU, Mr.
CISNEROS, Mr. CORREA, Mr. COSTA, Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania, Ms.
DELBENE, Mr. DESAULNIER, Mr. DOGGETT, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Ms.
FRIEDMAN, Mr. GARAMENDI, Mr. GARCIA of California, Ms. GARCIA of Texas, Mr. GOMEZ, Mrs. HAYES, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. IVEY, MS. JACOBS, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. KAMLAGER- DOVE, Mr. KENNEDY of New York, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. LANDSMAN, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr.
LATIMER, Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LICCARDO, Mr.
LIEU, Ms. LOFGREN, MS. MATSUI, MS. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MIN, Mr.
MORELLE, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. PANETTA, MS. PELOSI, Mr. PETERS, MS.
PETTERSEN, MS. RIVAS, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. SALINAS, Ms. SANCHEZ, Mr.
SHERMAN, MS. SIMON, Mr. SWALWELL, Mr. TAKANO, Mr. THANEDAR, Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mrs. TORRES of California, Mr. TRAM, Mr.
VARGAS, MS. WATERS, Mr. WHI TESIDES, Mr. GRAY, and Ms. Ross) sub- mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com- mittee concerned
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the right to peacefully protest and condemning violence and authoritarian responses to expressions of
dissent.
2 Whereas U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) agents recently carried out immigration enforcement
raids in Southern California;
Whereas prioritizing the removal of individuals who pose a clear threat to public safety, such as those convicted of violent crimes, is essential to maintaining trust and jus- tice in the immigration system;
Whereas ICE has conducted raids by deploying unmarked
Federal agents to detain individuals on the streets, at their homes, and at places of employment;
Whereas many citizens objected to the ICE raids and peace- fully protested ICE activity, primarily in an approxi- mately 10- block area of downtown Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia;
Whereas the First Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States protects " the right of the people peaceably to assemble";
Whereas peaceful protest is a cornerstone of American de- mocracy and an essential means for individuals to express dissent, demand change, and advocate for justice;
Whereas troublemakers also infiltrated these peaceful dem- onstrations and committed unlawful acts of violence, van- dalism, looting, and destruction of property;
Whereas these unlawful acts harm small businesses;
Whereas such acts of violence undermine the goals of peace- ful protest and endanger the safety and security of all community members;
Whereas law enforcement and elected officials provided clear assurances that those who committed violent acts will be arrested and prosecuted;
HRES 543 IH
3 Whereas local and state law enforcement agencies success- fully worked to protect the public, ensure the safety of peaceful demonstrators, and restore order in areas im- pacted by violence;
Whereas the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department as- sessed the situation was " nowhere near a level" where the Department would need assistance from the National
Guard;
Whereas public officials have a responsibility to lower the temperature and not enflame tensions;
Whereas, on June 71 20251 the President activated 2,000 members of the California National Guard to Los Ange-
les and subsequently authorized an additional 2,000 Na- tional Guard personnel to be placed on standby for poten- tial Federal activation;
Whereas the legal authority the Trump Administration cited for the activation, 10 U. S. C. § 12406, permits federaliza- tion of the National Guard only in specific and extraor- dinary circumstances— including invasion, rebellion, or the inability of regular forces to execute the law— none of which were present;
Whereas 10 U. S. C. § 12406 also requires orders to activate the National Guard be issued through the governor of the affected state;
Whereas the President activated the National Guard without any request from the Governor of California;
Whereas the activation of the National Guard escalated and inflamed the situation;
Whereas the President also deployed 700 active- duty Marines to the Los Angeles area, further escalating the situation; HRES 543 IH
4 Whereas the Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the use of active- duty armed forces for domestic law enforcement except in limited circumstances, none of which the President in- voked;
Whereas the acting Comptroller of the Department of De- fense, Bryn MacDonnell, testified to Congress that the deployment of National Guard members and Marines to
Los Angeles is estimated to cost $ 134 million over the 60-day deployment; and
Whereas deploying the National Guard and active- duty mili- tary personnel into a U. S. city without invoking the prop- er statutory authorities nor coordinating with state and local government officials is illegal, irresponsible, a dis- proportionate response which increases the likelihood of violence, exacerbates the situation, presents a logistical challenge to local law enforcement, and threatens the
safety of the public and all law enforcement personnel:
Now, therefore, be it
1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives-
2 1) reaffirms its support for the First Amend-
3 ment right to peacefully assemble and protest;
4 2) supports civil rights and civil liberties, in-
5 cluding the right to due process, for all persons;
6 3) condemns instigators who have committed
7 acts of violence against law enforcement, vandalism,
8 looting, and destruction of property;
9 4) emphasizes that all law enforcement, includ-
10 ing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has a
HRES 543 IH
5 1 duty to conduct their operations with transparency
2 and accountability to the public;
3 5) denounces the inflammatory language of the
4 Trump Administration that has worsened tensions
5 within U. S. communities;
6 6) reiterates support for the military
7 servicemembers in the Marines and National Guard
8 while objecting to their current California deploy-
9 ment; and
10 7) commends the law enforcement officers who
11 worked to protect public safety, enabled peaceful
12 protests, and upheld the rule of law during these
13 challenging times.
O
HRES 543 IH
G:\ M\ 18\ CORREA\ CORREA 075. XML
AMENDMENT TO RULES COMMITTEE PRINT 119- 3
OFFERED BY MR. CORREA OF CALIFORNIA
I SEC. 70125. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR REMOVAL
2 OF VETERANS.
None of the funds made available by this subtitle
may be used to remove from the United States a veteran
who was honorably discharged, unless an immigration
judge has determined, after weighing all of the equities, that the veteran should be removed.
0 g: WHLC\ 051925\ 051925. 214. xm1 ( 99223411)
May 19, 2025( 11: 26 p. m.)
G:\ MN19\ CORREA\ CORREA- 020. XML
AMENDMENT TO RULES COMMITTEE PRINT 119- 3
OFFERED BY MR. CORREA OF CALIFORNIA
At the end of title V11, insert the following:
l SEC. 70303. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS.
2 None of the funds made available by this title may
3 be used to conduct an immigration enforcement action at 4 an elementary school.
X
g: WHLD\ 051925\ D051925. 090. xm1 ( 99214611)
May 19, 2025( 4: 41 p. m.)
G:\ M\ 19\ CORREA\ CORREA- 016. XML
AMENDMENT TO RULES COMMITTEE PRINT 119-
3 OFFERED BY MR. CORREA OF CALIFORNIA
I SEC. 70125. NO 3RD COUNTRY REMOVAL WITHOUT AN
2 ORDER.
3 No amounts shall be made available by this subtitle
4 may be used to deport or remove an individual to a coun- 5 try other than the country of that individual' s nationality 6 or last habitual residence unless a removal order to that 7 country is issued by an immigration judge.
X
g: WHLC\ 052025\ 052025. 067. xm1 ( 99202212)
May 20, 2025( 12: 50 p. m.)
G:\ M\ 19\ C0RREA\ C0RREA_ 017. XML
AMENDMENT TO RULES COMMITTEE PRINT 119- 3
OFFERED BY MR. CORREA OF CALIFORNIA
Add at the end of subtitle A of title VII the fol-
lowing:
1 SEC. PROHIBITION ON SECRETARY OF HOMELAND
2 SECURITY WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN RE-
3 MOVAL .
4 a) REMOVAL.-
5 1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary of Homeland
6 Security may not use any funds under this subtitle
7 to remove an alien who is a spouse of a member of
8 the armed forces serving on active duty.
9 2) EXCEPTION.— Paragraph ( 1) shall not
10 apply if such removal is required by extradition law 11 or treaty obligations.
12 b) DETENTION.-
13 1) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary of Homeland
14 may not detain an alien who is a spouse of a mem-
15 ber of the armed forces serving on active duty.
16 2) EXCEPTION.— Paragraph ( 1) shall not
17 apply in the case that such detention is necessary to 18 investigate a criminal offense.
0 g:\ V\ E\ 051925\ E051925. 062. xm1 ( 99204411) May 19, 2025( 5: 33 p. m.)
Zuniga, Diana
From: Maria Ceja <
Sent: Tuesday, July 01, 2025 11:26 AM
To: eComment
Subject: Agenda item # 27
Attention: This email originated from outside of City of SantaAna. Use caution when opening attachmentsor links.
Mayor and City Council,
I want to express my support for the adoption of the proposed resolution to use the city' s advocacy to call on our federal representatives to demand ICE & other federal enforcement agencies OUT of our communities. It is important for the city to not only reaffirm its commitment to its most vulnerable residents & SB 54, but also for the city to express this with actions. I look forward to witnessing how the city will do this.
Sincerely,
Maria Ceja
Santa Ana Resident( born & raised)
i