LIVE: Homeland Security Secretary Noem testifies at Senate oversight hearing
TL;DR
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced intense partisan questioning at a Senate oversight hearing, with Republicans defending a 93% drop in border crossings and increased enforcement while Democrats accused DHS of systemic cruelty, unlawful detentions, and multiple deaths in custody.
📉 Border Security Statistics 3 insights
93% decrease in border crossings claimed
Republican leadership cited DHS data showing illegal border crossings decreased 93% in 2025, with zero illegal immigrants released into the country for 10 consecutive months.
Over 617,000 pounds of drugs seized
Customs and Border Protection has seized more than 617,000 pounds of drugs under the current administration's enforcement surge.
Violent crime rate among arrestees disputed
Senator Durbin countered that less than 14% of immigrants arrested during Trump's first year had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses.
⚖️ Allegations of Abuse & Legal Violations 3 insights
Sixteen deaths in custody reported
Seven detainees died in ICE custody in December alone, with nine total deaths this year, including one classified as homicide by a county medical examiner.
Systematic violation of court orders
A Minnesota federal judge found ICE violated at least 96 court orders in January alone, with over 4,400 federal judicial rulings nationwide that ICE is illegally detaining immigrants.
American citizens shot during raids
Democrats cited incidents where agents shot American citizens multiple times, including a woman shot five times who was subsequently labeled a domestic terrorist by the administration.
🏢 Detention Conditions & Capacity 3 insights
Massive warehouse detention facilities planned
DHS plans to purchase warehouses designed to hold up to 8,000 people each, exceeding the capacity of the largest federal prison which holds 4,000.
Medical neglect of children alleged
Specific cases cited include a 5-year-old who became ill in detention and an 18-month-old hospitalized for 10 days with respiratory illness then denied medication upon return.
Trafficking survivors detained despite visas
ICE arrested trafficking survivors including "Luna," whose trafficking visa application had been deemed bona fide by DHS in February 2025, yet remains detained.
🔍 Oversight & Accountability 3 insights
Whistleblowers restored with back pay
Secretary Noem restored three whistleblowers to supervisory roles with back pay and reauthorized law enforcement credentials after they faced retaliation for reporting DNA fingerprinting violations.
Inspector General access restricted
The DHS Inspector General was allegedly prevented by department memo from briefing Congress on classified TSA security screening test results, blocking transparency efforts.
Afghanistan vetting failures flagged
Thousands of Operation Allies Welcome parolees were identified as potential national security risks due to Biden administration failures to vet evacuees against Defense Department tactical data.
Bottom Line
The hearing revealed an irreconcilable partisan divide over immigration enforcement, with Democrats demanding immediate accountability for alleged constitutional violations and deaths in custody while Republicans framed the administration's policies as necessary corrections to prior border security failures.
More from Reuters
View all
A conversation with Pulitzer winners
Reuters journalists discuss their Pulitzer-winning investigations into Meta's harmful AI practices and Trump's campaign of governmental retribution, alongside finalist work on Southeast Asian scam centers and immigration crackdown photography, revealing the methodological innovations and human sourcing required to expose institutional abuse.
LIVE: Fernandez takes office as Costa Rican president
Laura Fernández Delgado is sworn in as President of Costa Rica for the 2026-2030 constitutional term, receiving the presidential sash from outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves in a ceremony emphasizing institutional reform and the fight against corruption.
LIVE: David Attenborough's 100th birthday celebrated in London
At a London celebration for Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, wildlife presenter Steve Backshall and BBC host Greg James reflected on his revolutionary impact on nature broadcasting, his masterful storytelling techniques, and his unique ability to inspire audiences across all age groups.
LIVE: Ceremony commemorating the end of World War II, in Paris
Behind-the-scenes audio from Paris captures President Macron and officials preparing for France's Victory in Europe Day ceremony, featuring interactions with WWII veterans, Resistance medal recipients, and the symbolic flame relighting at the Arc de Triomphe.