House Democrats Request DHS Investigation into Text Message Records

House Democrats are urging the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to investigate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after a watchdog group discovered that the agency no longer keeps text message records related to immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.

A letter addressed to Marco Rubio, who is currently acting archivist, stated that DHS Chief Christa Noem is seeking an inquiry to determine whether NARA was made aware of any unlawful destruction of federal records.

This request came a day after a surveillance group expressed concerns about DHS’s handling of public records, with the agency stating that it “no longer maintains” text message data created since April 9, 2025.

It’s essential for government agencies to maintain public records, including text messages, as a matter of compliance.

Benny Thompson (D-Miss.), a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, criticized DHS’s messaging, pointing out in his letter to Rubio that DHS had failed to clarify some statements made in correspondence from July 23. He questioned why other methods were mentioned and why text message records were not produced in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Thompson urged NARA to initiate an investigation due to the inconsistent statements from DHS regarding record-keeping.

Neither DHS nor the National Archives provided immediate comments on the matter.

The surveillance group had requested documents related to DHS’s conduct in Los Angeles back in July. However, when following up on a FOIA request, they received a prompt reply indicating “no record,” along with a message saying DHS could no longer perform searches for text messages.

Chioma Chukwu, the executive director of the surveillance group, remarked that it’s clear the administration understands the legal obligation to maintain text message records. She asserted that failing to preserve these records from significant officials like Chief Noem constitutes a legal violation, requiring urgent action from DHS leadership and NARA.

The timeline of when DHS stopped retaining these text messages seems to align with growing public scrutiny surrounding the Trump administration’s deportation practices.

In April, DHS and Justice Department representatives found themselves embroiled in a tense legal battle as the family of Abrego Garcia fought for his release. Documents released by a whistleblower indicated that officials were involved in discussions concerning the case, including attempts to label him as a member of the MS-13 gang.

Public reports and whistleblower testimonies suggest that DHS officials were engaged in critical internal conversations around the time, including discussions about compliance with Supreme Court orders that likely involved text messages.