Congressman Krishnamoorthi Demands Oversight Committee Hearing with DHS Secretary Noem on ICE Abuses in Illinois and Beyond

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Oversight Committee, today released a letter to Chairman James Comer (R-KY) calling for a hearing with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that “masked agents operating under Secretary Noem’s direction and authority have routinely been racially profiling, harassing, and harming U.S. citizens in what appears to be a concerted effort to sow fear and uncertainty in select communities and states that didn’t vote for President Trump last year. This use of federal law enforcement power and taxpayer resources to extract political retribution is wrong, and Secretary Noem must appear before our Committee to explain why it is happening.”

The congressman also cited recent incidents in Illinois: “As part of Operation Midway Blitz, on September 16, in Elgin, Illinois, an American citizen was dragged from his home, handcuffed, and detained by ICE agents for reasons that ICE has neither explained nor apologized for. On the same day, an American citizen in Des Plaines, Illinois, was tased in the face in front of his children by ICE agents who did not identify themselves. Again, ICE has provided no explanation or apology. Just days later, at the ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, federal agents escalated tensions by firing pepper balls and chemical agents at demonstrators, sending some to the hospital. At least 16 protesters were arrested over the weekend, amid reports of racial profiling and violent tactics that further eroded trust between the community and federal law enforcement.”

“These incidents are being repeated throughout the nation,” the letter continued. “American citizens are being made to feel afraid and insecure in their own homes simply because of the color of their skin. ICE and other armed agents operating under Secretary Noem’s authority face no consequences for wrong actions, poor decisions, and harmful conduct. This is not acceptable conduct or policy.”

The letter concluded: “Secretary Noem took an oath upon taking office, and it is the same one we all take: to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Sadly, Secretary Noem appears to have placed that oath beneath the need for press conferences, and the American people deserve to have her testify before their elected representatives to explain her unconstitutional conduct. I look forward to working with you to schedule this hearing, which I believe would be welcomed by Republicans and Democrats alike.”

The full letter to Secretary Noem is available here.