The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended one of its agents after Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois claimed during a hearing that the agency has been redirected to target non-threatening undocumented immigrants instead of dangerous criminals. The hearing, titled “Beyond Smash and Grab: Criminal Networks and Organized Theft,” examined the roles federal law enforcement agencies, especially Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), play in combating organized crime and theft.
Durbin, who is the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, stated that under the current administration, HSI’s focus has shifted towards immigration enforcement, rather than addressing serious issues. He expressed concern that this misallocation of resources compromises public safety.
In response, DHS emphasized that Durbin’s statements were misleading and pointed out that his own state of Illinois harbors undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities. The agency’s post on social media remarked that the dedicated HSI staff deserve gratitude rather than criticism for their efforts in maintaining safety on the streets.
Moreover, the DHS noted that such remarks have contributed to a staggering increase—over 830%—in attacks against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel, who risk their lives to enforce the law and protect American citizens.
Durbin referenced a report indicating that HSI agents have shifted their focus away from critical crime-fighting duties. He quoted a veteran agent expressing frustration over the lack of serious cases, stating they seem to be arresting individuals for relatively minor infractions, such as immigration paperwork, instead of tackling issues like drug trafficking or child exploitation. Durbin concluded that this approach jeopardizes the fight against organized crime by misallocating crucial federal resources.
