At DHS hearing, Democrats press Noem on deportations; Thompson urges resignation
At a Dec. 11 House Homeland Security hearing, Democrats pressed DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over deportations — including a live confrontation with a deported U.S. veteran and allegations that migrants with pending asylum claims and even U.S. citizens have been wrongly removed — while Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson used his opening statement to call on her to resign, accusing her of dismantling DHS and violating the law. The session, interrupted by anti‑ICE protesters and heated exchanges, saw Noem defend the department’s border‑enforcement and counterterrorism efforts, cite expanded resources Congress provided for removals, and face scrutiny including a federal probe into flights that transported migrants and questions about arrests of U.S. citizens during operations.
📌 Key Facts
- At a Dec. 11 House Homeland Security Committee hearing that began at 10 a.m. EST, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem testified on global security threats and border enforcement.
- Congress in July approved roughly $165 billion for DHS, including funding to hire 10,000 additional deportation officers, complete sections of the border wall, and expand detention and removals.
- Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson and other Democrats pressed Noem over deportation policies and alleged misconduct — accusing her of diverting DHS resources to an 'extreme' immigration agenda, steering a $220 million contract to allies, cutting $134 million in New York security funding, and publicly calling on her to resign (‘I call on you to resign’).
- Democrats highlighted individual cases they said show improper removals and mistreatment — including U.S. Army veteran Sae Joon Park, who self‑deported after a removal order — and accused DHS of deporting migrants with pending asylum claims and wrongly detaining or arresting U.S. citizens; Noem said she would review several cases and disputed that veterans have been deported.
- Noem defended DHS in prepared remarks, saying the department is eradicating transnational organized crime, stopping drug flows, ending illegal immigration, defending against cyberattacks, and warning of elevated risks to major 2026 events (the World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday).
- Protesters repeatedly interrupted Noem’s opening remarks — one dressed as a priest shouting 'End deportations' and 'The power of Christ compels you' — and were escorted out of the hearing and detained by Capitol Police.
- A federal judge is investigating whether Noem should face contempt charges over flights that transported migrants to El Salvador, and outlets reported mounting clashes around DHS immigration operations in cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago.
- Officials at the hearing raised broader security and policy concerns: National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent said the top threat is not knowing who entered the U.S. during the prior four years; DHS reported it has deported over two million unauthorized migrants under the current administration; and after a Nov. 26 attack DHS halted Afghan visa processing, froze some asylum decisions and suspended entry for nationals from 19 countries.
- Noem left the hearing around 12:08 p.m. for a FEMA Review Council meeting that Rep. Thompson said had been canceled; DHS later said she learned of the cancellation at 12:26 p.m., about 18 minutes after she departed.
📊 Relevant Data
From January 20 to October 15, 2025, ICE arrested nearly 75,000 people with no criminal records, representing more than a third of total arrests of approximately 220,000.
ICE has arrested nearly 75,000 people with no criminal records, data shows — NBC News
Undocumented immigrants have lower criminal offending rates than natural-born U.S. citizens.
Data is clear that immigrants don't increase crime in the United States, expert says — Northeastern Global News
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported deporting five veterans in the first half of 2022.
Berkeley Law Deported Veterans Report — Berkeley Law
Approximately 76,000 Afghans were brought to the U.S. under Operation Allies, some of whom were among those applying for asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border in the last two years.
ICE arrests of Afghans are on the rise in the wake of National Guard attack, immigration lawyers say — KXAN
📰 Sources (9)
Noem confronted by Democrats, including about allegedly removing veterans from U.S.
New information:
- Rep. Seth Magaziner confronted Noem with U.S. Army veteran Sae Joon Park on Zoom; Park self‑deported to South Korea in June after a removal order tied to 15‑year‑old drug and FTA charges.
- Noem stated that no veterans have been deported; Magaziner cited arrests of non‑criminals and even U.S. citizens to challenge DHS’s focus.
- Thompson alleged Noem steered a $220 million contract to allies to film her and accused her of living rent‑free in housing reserved for the Coast Guard’s top admiral.
- During questioning on the D.C. Guard shooting suspect, Thompson said 'Your DHS approved the asylum application'; Noem replied vetting occurred under the prior administration.
- Noem left the hearing around 12:08 p.m. for a FEMA Review Council meeting; Thompson said it was canceled, and DHS later said Noem learned of the cancellation at 12:26 p.m., 18 minutes after she left.
- Article reiterates DHS actions after the Nov. 26 attack: halting Afghan visa processing, freezing asylum decisions, and suspending entry for nationals from 19 countries of concern.
WATCH: Rep. Magaziner confronts Noem with deported U.S. military veteran on Zoom in hearing
New information:
- Rep. Seth Magaziner confronted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with a deported U.S. combat veteran (a Purple Heart recipient) via live video during the hearing.
- Noem said she would review several deportation cases highlighted by Magaziner.
- Magaziner’s on‑record rebuke: “You don’t seem to know how to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys.”
- Democrats identified audience members they said had been deported or had family improperly treated by the immigration system.
Noem confronts Democrats over NYC crime, asylum abuses as members hurl accusations
New information:
- Rep. Tim Kennedy (D‑N.Y.) accused DHS Secretary Kristi Noem of cutting $134 million in NYC Urban Area Security Initiative funding and told her to resign.
- Noem countered that NYC leaders release criminals instead of turning them over to ICE and asserted New York had not spent the funds at issue.
- Fox reports a Manhattan federal judge ordered the administration to reinstate the withheld New York security funding in October.
- Rep. Dan Goldman (D‑N.Y.) pressed Noem on alleged deportations of migrants with pending asylum applications, arguing such removals would violate the law.
WATCH: Rep. Thompson calls on Noem to resign for ‘making America less safe’
New information:
- Rep. Bennie Thompson explicitly called on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign during the Dec. 11 House Homeland Security hearing.
- Thompson accused Noem of diverting 'vast resources' to President Trump’s 'extreme' immigration agenda and failing to provide basic responses to congressional oversight.
- Direct quote from Thompson: “I call on you to resign. Do a real service to the country.”
Top Homeland Security Dem blasted for calling WV National Guard shooting ‘unfortunate accident’
New information:
- During the hearing, Rep. Bennie Thompson referred to the WV National Guard shooting as an 'unfortunate accident,' prompting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to call it a 'terrorist attack.'
- Noem asserted the Biden administration failed annual asylum check‑ins and said Lakanwal was admitted under 'Allies Welcome/Refuge.'
- Thompson suggested the Trump administration approved Lakanwal’s asylum (citing CBS reporting) and warned Noem about potential perjury if her statements were false.
- Noem countered that vetting processes were set under Biden-era programs and reiterated that proper SIV standards were not followed.
Dem rep opens House hearing by telling Noem to resign in fiery statement
New information:
- Ranking Member Rep. Bennie Thompson used his opening statement to call on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, alleging she dismantled DHS and violated the law.
- Multiple protesters interrupted the hearing chanting anti-ICE messages; they were escorted out by Capitol Police and detained outside the room.
- Noem responded with prepared remarks defending DHS, saying the department is eradicating transnational organized crime, stopping drug flows, ending illegal immigration, and defending against cyberattacks.
- Noem warned of elevated risks to major 2026 U.S. events (World Cup and the nation’s 250th birthday) and said DHS is using every tool to secure them.
- Context noted that President Trump publicly dismissed rumors he would replace Noem, calling her 'fantastic'; Noem told Fox News she continues to serve at his pleasure.
Chaos erupts at Noem hearing as anti-ICE protesters interrupt testimony: 'The power of Christ compels you!'
New information:
- Two protesters interrupted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s opening remarks at the House Homeland Security Committee hearing, shouting anti-ICE messages; both were escorted out by security.
- One protester, dressed as a priest carrying a crucifix, shouted “End deportations!” and “The power of Christ compels you!” before removal.
- Noem’s opening statement emphasized border enforcement under the Trump administration and efforts to combat transnational crime and illegal immigration.
- National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent told the committee the top threat is not knowing who entered the U.S. during the prior four years.
- Article reiterates DHS tracking that over two million illegal immigrants have been deported under the current administration.
WATCH LIVE: Noem testifies on global security threats to the U.S. in House hearing
New information:
- The hearing begins at 10 a.m. EST on Dec. 11; Noem last appeared in Congress in May.
- Congress in July gave DHS roughly $165 billion, including funds to hire 10,000 more deportation officers, complete sections of the border wall, and expand detention and removals.
- A federal judge is investigating whether Noem should face a contempt charge over flights carrying migrants to El Salvador.
- PBS/AP highlights mounting clashes around DHS immigration operations in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
- DHS says agents do not target U.S. citizens for immigration violations but acknowledges arrests of Americans for allegedly interfering in operations, while Democrats allege erroneous citizen detentions.