DHS chief fires back at Jayapal over claim majority of immigration arrests pose 'no threat', tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/media/dhs-chief-fires-back-jayapal-over-claim-majority-immigration-arrests-pose-no-threat)
20-09-2026
This news report details a dispute between Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) regarding the focus and scope of federal immigration enforcement.
Rep. Jayapal’s ClaimsDuring a congressional hearing, Rep. Jayapalthe ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcementcriticized the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. She claimed that:
For the first time over the summer, the majority of people arrested by DHS posed “absolutely no threat to public safety.”
The total number of people arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) who had prior criminal convictions had decreased rather than increased.
DHS was diverting resourcesincluding Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents who typically handle human trafficking and severe criminal casestoward neighborhood street sweeps, routine traffic stops, and arresting longtime residents, parents, and neighbors.
Appearing on “Saturday in America,” Secretary Mullin pushed back against Jayapal’s characterization, labeling her arguments as political:
Mullin maintained that DHS and ICE remain committed to targeting high-risk individuals and protecting public safety.
He emphasized that crossing the border without authorization is in itself an unlawful act, stating that anyone breaking federal immigration policy is subject to arrest and deportation.
He referenced crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and the grief of “Angel Families,” asserting that tragedies caused by unauthorized individuals are preventable through strict border and immigration enforcement.
According to figures cited by DHS in the report:
ICE arrested nearly 51,000 undocumented immigrants nationwide in August, representing the highest monthly arrest total recorded by the agency.
DHS also reported that over 2,000 known or suspected terrorists have been deported since the current administration took office, while reiterating regular operations focused on individuals convicted of violent crimes and drug trafficking.