Category: DHS
‘So dumb it hurts my soul’: DHS brutally fact-checks viral ‘new data’ from Cato Institute
The Department of Homeland Security has showed no signs of slowing down its deportation campaign against the “worst of the worst” in the country. However, many of its detractors have tried countless methods of obstructing its mission and undermining public support.
On Monday, Cato Institute Director of Immigration Studies David Bier challenged the “worst of the worst” narrative with “new data” regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions.
‘By the way, every single one of these illegal aliens broke our nation’s laws by being in the country illegally.’
“Most ‘criminals’ had immigration, traffic, and vice offenses. Not the ‘worst of the worst,'” Bier said.
Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images
The pie chart shows that 73% of ICE detainees within the period of October 1-November 15 had “no conviction” and only 5% were “violent” offenders.
Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) highlighted the data, saying: “This is the scandal. Trump isn’t targeting dangerous people. He’s targeting peaceful immigrants. Almost exclusively.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded to Bier via Senator Murphy’s post: “This is so dumb it hurts my soul. This is a made up pie chart with no legitimate data behind it — just propaganda to undermine the brave work of @DHSgov law enforcement and fool Americans.”
McLaughlin went on to set the record straight: “~ 70% of illegal aliens arrested have active criminal charges or criminal convictions. That doesn’t even include those wanted in another country for a crime, gang members, known/suspected terrorists, wanted by INTERPOL, human rights abusers. The list goes on.”
She then added what many people are thinking, for those who need to hear it: “By the way, every single one of these illegal aliens broke our nation’s laws by being in the country illegally.”
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‘Exemplary’ TSA agents receive big bonus just in time for Christmas after powering through Dem shutdown without a paycheck
The Department of Homeland Security handed out bonuses to Transportation Security Administration agents who went above and beyond during the Democrat shutdown.
The 43-day shutdown forced essential government workers to continue working despite not receiving a paycheck.
‘We will be continuing to not only recognize employees across the country, but we will be looking at every single TSA official who helped serve during this government shutdown, and do what we can to recognize that.’
On Thursday, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced during a press conference at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport that the federal government would provide a $10,000 bonus to TSA agents who showed “exemplary service.”
“Today we are announcing that we are going to be handing out bonus checks of $10,000 to TSOs, to agents who work for TSA who served with exemplary service,” Noem stated. “What that means is that we are going to not only continue their paychecks like they should have received all along, but also they’re going to get a bonus check for stepping up, taking on extra shifts, for showing up each and every day, for serving the American people.”
During the press conference, Noem handed out envelopes containing bonus checks to roughly two dozen TSA agents.
RELATED: Trump officially ends ‘pathetic’ Democrats’ record-breaking shutdown
Photographer: Shelby Tauber/Bloomberg via Getty Images
“Every single one of these individuals served with exemplary service, which means they were an example of, not only taking seriously the security concerns and measures that TSA has to every single day and the Department of Homeland Security, but also they went above and beyond,” Noem said.
The DHS secretary stated that the department will continue to recognize government employees nationwide who stepped up during the shutdown.
RELATED: FAA cancels hundreds of flights, sparking holiday travel concerns amid ongoing Democrat shutdown
Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images
“We will be continuing to not only recognize employees across the country, but we will be looking at every single TSA official who helped serve during this government shutdown, and do what we can to recognize that and help them financially with a bonus check to get them and their family back on their feet,” Noem stated.
She also noted that the TSA will implement new security screening lanes for families with small children, as well as for veterans and active-duty military.
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FY 2026 Starts with “Most Secure Border Ever,” Lowest Illegal Crossings in History
When it comes to border security, fiscal year 2026 got off to a remarkable start with the lowest illegal crossings in October in history, according to preliminary figures released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) frontline border agency. It is welcome news after a record-breaking 7.6 million illegal aliens […]
The post FY 2026 Starts with “Most Secure Border Ever,” Lowest Illegal Crossings in History appeared first on Judicial Watch.
‘Operation Dirtbag’ nabs over 230 criminal illegal aliens — but Noem wants more
As the Department of Homeland Security’s deportation operations continue to clean up our cities and remove illegal aliens across the country, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem took a moment to celebrate a big win in Florida.
On Tuesday, the secretary shared details in a Fox News interview about Operation Criminal Return, or as she liked to call it, “Operation Dirtbag.” The DHS posted a clip of the interview on X.
‘It’s remarkable, and we need to do more of it.’
Operation Dirtbag was so called because of the more than 230 criminal illegal aliens arrested, over 150 of whom were sexual predators, many against children, Noem explained.
“These individuals were sex offenders, but not just sex offenders — they targeted children,” Noem stated.
RELATED: Illegal alien pedophile allegedly ‘physically assaulted’ ICE agent during immigration operation: DHS
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
“These individuals should’ve never been in our country to begin with, and the fact that they were sexual deviants and perverts and now we’ve gotten them off of our streets — it’s remarkable, and we need to do more of it,” Noem added.
Among the crimes committed by these illegal aliens were attempted premeditated murder with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation of children, possession of narcotics, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, according to the DHS’ X post.
Secretary Noem expressed her department’s appreciation for Florida’s cooperation in the operations.
“Our kids will be safer. And this partnership with Governor DeSantis in Florida is a model that we want to replicate across the country.”
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Border Patrol agents dodge bullets and bricks from leftist rioters in sanctuary city: DHS
Leftist activists in Chicago engaged in a series of violent attacks against federal agents who were conducting immigration enforcement operations over the weekend, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in a neighborhood of Little Village, a “hostile crowd” allegedly boxed Border Patrol agents into a street and alleyway.
‘This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction.’
An individual driving a black Jeep Wrangler fired multiple rounds at the agents while they were apprehending a suspect, the DHS reported. The shooter fled the scene.
Some in the crowd reportedly hurled objects, including bricks, at the officers’ vehicles.
The DHS credited the Chicago Police Department for helping agents evacuate the area.
As agents left the scene, another driver allegedly attempted to ram into the agents’ convoy, but the attack was thwarted when federal officials deployed a controlled tire deflation device.
RELATED: Masked anti-ICE agitators are in for a rude awakening as new DHS policy goes into effect
Image source: Department of Homeland Security
The DHS explained that the convoy proceeded to an FBI facility, where agents encountered two additional drivers who tried to “impede operations.” When agents issued a warning, one of the drivers allegedly attempted to ram the convoy. That driver was arrested.
“Border Patrol reached the FBI facility when rioters attempted to breach security there. Chicago Police responded to help secure the perimeter,” the DHS stated.
Border Patrol agents left the FBI facility but again encountered a group of protesters who were attempting to obstruct traffic by lying in the street. Agents deployed crowd-control measures after the activists began throwing objects, the DHS said.
Once the road was cleared, agents proceeded to a Sam’s Club parking lot where they were allegedly “stalked and followed” by protesters. Another driver allegedly rammed a federal vehicle. Officials arrested three individuals for assault.
A fourth vehicle ramming occurred when agents attempted to leave the grocery store parking lot. The suspect driving the vehicle fled the scene and remains at large.
While no Border Patrol agents were harmed, photographs shared by the DHS show damage to two federal vehicles.
The series of attacks resulted in the arrest of eight U.S. citizens and one illegal alien.
Photo by Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images
The DHS blamed the incidents on “sanctuary politicians and the media.”
“A criminal illegal alien from Mexico has been arrested in relation to Saturday’s shooting targeting Border Patrol agents in Chicago. The suspect has previously been convicted for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/vehicle, felony possession of a weapon, and illegal entry,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement provided to Blaze News. “He is currently marked as a violator of the Laken Riley Act, pending charges related to assaulting officers.”
“This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction,” she continued. “Over the past two months, we’ve seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement.”
The Latin Kings allegedly issued a “shoot on sight” order targeting federal agents, NewsNation reported. It is currently unclear whether Saturday’s shooting is tied to the street gang.
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Illegal alien learns his fate after a Wisconsin judge allegedly helped him evade ICE
The illegal alien whom a Wisconsin judge allegedly helped to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement received his sentence for a criminal conviction following months in custody.
On Wednesday, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, was sentenced to time served and will be deported after being arrested by federal officials in Milwaukee in April.
Prosecutors claim Dugan escorted Eduardo and his lawyer out of the courtroom through a back door.
He pled guilty on September 4 to re-entering the United States, WTMJ reported.
U.S. District Judge Pamela Pepper handed down the sentence at a hearing on Wednesday following a plea deal including a promise to never return to the United States.
RELATED: Masked anti-ICE agitators are in for a rude awakening as new DHS policy goes into effect
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
According to the AP, Judge Pepper told Flores-Ruiz: “I very much hope you can find a way to make a living back home rather than coming back here.”
Flores-Ruiz will remain in custody until his deportation.
Flores-Ruiz’s attorney, Martin Pruhs, told the AP that his client was awaiting deportation in “the near future” but declined to provide further comment.
The full story, however, started more than seven months ago.
In March, ICE agents were alerted that Flores-Ruiz was due in court for three counts of battery. At a court appearance the following month in connection with the battery charges, Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan allegedly interfered with federal ICE agents who were attempting to arrest Flores-Ruiz at the conclusion of his hearing.
Prosecutors claim Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer out of the courtroom through a back door on April 18. Flores-Ruiz was able to flee the agents on foot before his apprehension.
The following week, FBI Director Kash Patel announced Dugan’s arrest for obstruction, saying, in part, “Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot, and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public.”
Dugan was indicted in May, and U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman denied a motion to dismiss the charges against her in August.
“There is no basis for granting immunity simply because some of the allegations in the indictment describe conduct that could be considered ‘part of a judge’s job,’” Adelman wrote in the order, according to WTMJ.
Dugan’s trial is scheduled for December 15.
Flores-Ruiz pled no contest to one count of battery in October. He was sentenced to time served in that case as well.
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Deportations top 2 million under Trump — and most aren’t by force
Deportations and border security have been a crucial part of the second Trump administration, and nine months in, the government has started to release some results. Despite seemingly constant obstruction from Democrats, the administration has begun to deliver on its promises of mass deportations.
“The president is all about results, … and what President Trump, Secretary Noem, and our law enforcement have been able to do in the past 270 days, despite the injunctions, despite the obstruction from sanctuary city politicians and these activist judges, is really nothing short of extraordinary,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a Fox News interview on Monday.
‘While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant.’
She went on to report that over 2 million illegal aliens have left the country since the beginning of Trump’s term, citing an October 27 press release.
McLaughlin claimed in the press release that the majority of the deportations have been voluntary: “More than 2 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. including 1.6 million who have voluntarily self-deported and over 527,000 deportations.”
Photo by Jamie Kelter Davis/Getty Images
According to a March 2025 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, there are an estimated 18.6 million illegal aliens in the United States.
“While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant,” Ira Mehlman, media director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, told Blaze News.
Mehlman emphasized that illegal aliens are “rational” actors. If the perceived benefits of coming to the United States are unavailable to them because of their illegal status, they will likely leave voluntarily or not immigrate at all.
“If we … make it difficult to enter, difficult to find employment or access benefits and services, and that there is a reasonable chance that you might be apprehended and removed, illegal aliens will make similarly rational decisions: Many fewer come here illegally, and many of those who are here decide that they should leave on their own,” Melhman told Blaze News.
The government is also offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport, according to the press release.
Deterrence and shifting incentive structures for illegal immigrants have been key to turning the tide on the Biden border crisis, but more work needs to be done, as DHS admits.
“This is just the beginning. … DHS, ICE, and CBP have not just closed the border, but made historic strides to carry out President Trump’s promise of arresting and deporting illegal aliens who have invaded our country,” the DHS press release continued. “Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now or face the consequence: Migrants are now turning back before they even reach our borders.”
“Migration through Panama’s Darien Gap is down 99.99%,” McLaughlin added, referring to the dangerous route connecting South and Central America that many immigrants use on their way to America.
In the interview, McLaughlin also added that 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will soon be hired to assist with immigration operations.
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Immigration raid at New Jersey warehouse busts illegal aliens, arresting 22% of workforce
Federal immigration agents executed a raid of a New Jersey container freight warehouse that resulted in the arrest of dozens of illegal aliens, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
‘DHS is committed to maintaining the highest levels of security and accountability within bonded facilities to protect both US commerce and the public.’
Activists arrived on the scene to protest as federal agents conducted the arrests, WCBS-TV reported. They claimed that most of those taken into custody were packers for the international shipping company.
Local reports indicated that DHS agents initiated the workplace inspection at a facility owned by Savino Del Bene, a logistics company headquartered in Italy.
The sweep resulted in the arrests of 46 illegal aliens, approximately 22% of the on-site workforce, a DHS spokesperson told Blaze News.
RELATED: Soros-linked protesters to host ‘rally/vigil’ at Home Depot over ICE raids
Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
“The operation is part of DHS’ ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with customs and immigration regulations, safeguard the integrity of the supply chain, and verify that warehouse operators are adhering to all applicable security requirements,” the agency spokesperson said. “DHS is committed to maintaining the highest levels of security and accountability within bonded facilities to protect both U.S. commerce and the public.”
RELATED: ICE officer shoots at driver who tried to run over agent during vehicle stop in California, DHS says
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The spokesperson noted that the 46 illegal aliens will remain in DHS custody pending immigration proceedings.
Blaze News reached out to Savino Del Bene for comment.
This marks the third raid in Middlesex County in the past few months. Federal agents detained 15 employees from a wine and spirits warehouse in July and another 29 workers from a freight warehouse in August.
Atlantic Highlands Mayor Lori Hohenleitner stated that the town was not notified about the recent immigration enforcement actions.
“My police department had no idea that ICE was in our town at 6:30 in the morning last Sunday,” Hohenleitner stated, referring to the unrelated arrest of Ruperto Vicens Marquez, a longtime restaurant owner. Hohenleitner accused federal agents of wrongfully arresting Marquez, who, according to KABC-TV, has a valid and recently renewed work visa.
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FEMA Systemically Withheld Disaster Aid to Conservative Victims under Biden, DHS Probe Finds
Besides its lengthy history of incompetence, the federal agency created by Jimmy Carter to provide the nation with disaster relief singled out conservative victims and withheld aid to survivors who displayed signs and flags the agency’s liberal workforce disagreed with, including those supporting President Trump. The “textbook political discrimination against Americans in crisis” was uncovered […]
The post FEMA Systemically Withheld Disaster Aid to Conservative Victims under Biden, DHS Probe Finds appeared first on Judicial Watch.
Trump Admin Cleans House At ICE, Replaces Field Bosses With Border Patrol Veterans
‘The Trump administration remains laser focused’
