Krishnamoorthi Presses DHS Secretary Noem Over Suspension of Detention Oversight and Reports of Mistreatment of Journalists at Illinois ICE Facility

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi sent two letters to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem last night demanding accountability for the Department of Homeland Security’s actions during the ongoing government shutdown — including the furlough of its detention oversight personnel and reports of mistreatment of journalists covering immigration enforcement operations at the ICE processing center in Broadview, Illinois.

In one letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi condemned DHS’s decision to furlough the Office of Detention Oversight (ODO) — the department’s primary safeguard against abuse and neglect in federal immigration detention centers. Although DHS has continued nearly all enforcement operations and retained roughly 92 percent of its workforce, the Office of Detention Oversight has been “entirely furloughed,” leaving more than 60,000 individuals in custody nationwide without independent inspection or accountability.

“ODO’s inspectors are responsible for ensuring that facilities meet federal health, safety, and humane treatment standards,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “With detention levels now among the highest in more than a decade, suspending this critical oversight function while enforcement operations proceed uninterrupted is indefensible and represents a profound failure of priorities.”

Krishnamoorthi further noted that the furlough of ODO occurred even as DHS’s press and communications staff remain fully operational, raising “serious questions about the Department’s priorities during this shutdown.” He called on Secretary Noem to provide a breakdown of furloughed personnel across DHS, explain why the oversight office was shuttered while the press office was deemed essential, and clarify who, if anyone, is currently conducting detention-facility inspections during the shutdown.

In a separate letter, Krishnamoorthi raised grave concerns over the treatment of journalists during recent immigration enforcement actions in the Chicago area, including at the Broadview ICE processing center. He emphasized that a “free and independent press is essential to public accountability and the rule of law,” warning that federal actions that chill newsgathering—through force, intimidation, or secrecy—have no place in a democracy.

Citing multiple, well-documented incidents, Krishnamoorthi described how clearly identified journalists in Broadview reported being shot with pepper balls, exposed to tear gas, and, in at least one case, arrested while reporting. In a separate case now under local investigation, a CBS Chicago reporter’s vehicle was allegedly struck by a pepper-ball round outside the Broadview facility, dispersing chemical agents into the cabin. The Congressman also referenced allegations in Chicago Headline Club v. Noem that federal agents—“often masked and operating in combat gear”—used tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets against journalists who were complying with police instructions, noting that “such conduct raises serious constitutional concerns and demands accountability from DHS leadership.”

Krishnamoorthi further cited reports that hundreds of federalized National Guard troops are now operating in and around the Chicago area under presidential authority that is being challenged in federal court. “These developments underscore the urgent need for DHS to reaffirm its obligation to uphold—not suppress—the First Amendment rights of journalists and peaceful assembly,” he wrote.

To uphold the First Amendment and restore public confidence, the Congressman requested that DHS provide:

• All policies and training materials governing interactions with journalists;

• Any operational plans, directives, or field guidance for Operation Midway Blitz concerning press access, media safety zones, and use-of-force thresholds;

• Incident-level data on uses of force or detentions involving journalists since September 1, 2025; and

• Details of any coordination with federalized National Guard units or local authorities related to media access and crowd control.

Krishnamoorthi also urged DHS to adopt an explicit arrest-avoidance policy for journalists, ensure visible identification for all responding agents, and meet with press-freedom organizations and Illinois news outlets to establish lawful and transparent press-police protocols.

“Oversight and transparency are not optional; they are essential for maintaining public trust in the U.S. government,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “At a time when that trust is historically low, DHS must recommit to accountability — both for how it treats those in its custody and those who report on it.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s letter on the furlough of the Department of Homeland Security’s detention oversight person is available here.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s letter on his concerns with the Department of Homeland Security’s treatment of the press is available here.