Homeland Security Director Tricia McLaughlin didn’t hold back when responding to Kim Kardashian’s criticism of President Trump’s immigration policies on Wednesday. After Kardashian expressed on Instagram that immigrants in Los Angeles live in “fear and injustice” due to ICE operations, McLaughlin took to X to present images of various criminal immigrants detained by ICE, challenging Kardashian to specify who should be released. She asked, “@kimkardashian, which of these convicted child molesters, murderers, drug traffickers, rapists would you like to stay in the country?”
Meanwhile, as protests erupted in downtown Los Angeles aimed at disrupting ICE activities, some celebrities urged the government for a more humane approach to illegal immigration. In her Instagram story, Kardashian remarked, “Growing up in LA, I’ve seen how deeply immigration is woven into the fabric of this city. They’re our neighbors, friends, classmates, colleagues, and family. There has to be a better way.”
McLaughlin subsequently shared brief profiles of illegal immigrants with criminal records obtained by ICE in Los Angeles. Among those highlighted was Eswin Uriel Castro, an undocumented individual with convictions for child abuse and armed offenses, as well as arrests for robbery and domestic violence. Another profile detailed Gerald Antonio Palacios, who had prior deportations and convictions for murder and robbery.
Additionally, McLaughlin noted the case of Antonio Benitez Garte, a drug trafficker, and a foreigner from Cambodia, who, according to her, was an illegal immigrant. “These are just a few of the illegal offenders convicted in the last 72 hours,” officials from DHS remarked.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson also weighed in on the Kardashian post, stating, “President Trump has kept his promise to deport illegal aliens.”
