House Democrats, Kristi Noem spar over immigration
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense scrutiny from House Democrats during her testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee regarding her department’s 2026 budget. The hearing quickly delved into discussions about immigration, with Democratic members of the committee expressing their concerns and criticisms towards Noem’s leadership.
Ranking member Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., expressed his disappointment in the direction the Department of Homeland Security has taken under Noem’s watch, stating that it is a “sad day for DHS.” He criticized her for what he perceived as a lack of communication and cooperation within the committee, highlighting a breakdown in the dialogue between members.
The focus then shifted to an incident in New Jersey where three members of Congress attempted to access a private detention center holding ICE detainees. Noem described the incident as “lawless” and emphasized that members of Congress should not engage in such behavior. She defended the actions of law enforcement officers and condemned the conduct of the members of Congress involved in the altercation.
Delany Hall, the detention center in question, falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The members of Congress argued that they had a right to conduct oversight of the facility, while Noem asserted that their actions were criminal and not in line with their congressional responsibilities.
During the hearing, Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., criticized Noem for deporting individuals without proper legal representation, citing specific cases of children and individuals with serious medical conditions being removed from the country. He accused Noem of prioritizing political theatrics over addressing real issues within the immigration system.
On the topic of border security, Noem highlighted the Trump administration’s efforts to achieve “total operational control” of the southern border. She criticized the Biden administration for releasing immigrants into the country without legal status and emphasized the importance of deporting individuals who pose a threat to national security.
The contentious back-and-forth continued as Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., questioned Noem about a photo showing gang-related tattoos on an individual’s hands. Noem refused to comment on the authenticity of the photo, leading to a heated exchange between the two parties.
Overall, the hearing underscored the deep divisions and disagreements within the committee regarding immigration policy and border security. Noem’s testimony highlighted the challenges and complexities of managing the Department of Homeland Security in a highly polarized political environment.
