Garamendi Joins Democratic Colleagues Condemning Secretary Noem on Illegal ICE and DHS Activities, Demands Transparency

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) joined Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) and House Democrats pressed U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on the agency's chilling actions of federal agents in California. In a letter to Secretary Noem, Democrats expressed deep concerns about the Administration's lack of transparency when rounding up individuals with no criminal record. It also slammed the Administration for its illegal overreach and demanded immediate transparency.

In the letter, the lawmakers write, "President Trump initially promised to go after the worst of the worst in his immigration policy. However, the actions of this administration and your DHS show you are not interested in arresting dangerous criminals like murderers, rapists, and drug dealers. Instead, you are sending masked individuals who do not identify themselves as law enforcement to arrest college and high school students, restaurant workers, factory workers, and even American children."

A recent study conducted by the Los Angeles Times found that 69% of individuals detained by ICE had no criminal conviction. In his letter, the Correa and lawmakers demanded DHS to provide immediate and accurate information on their immigration enforcement activities including:

• A breakdown of criminal charges and convictions of people detained since January 20, 2025
• Number of deported individuals and their criminal offenses
• How many individuals have proven ties to gangs, foreign terrorist organizations, or criminal enterprises
• DHS arrest policy
• How agents and officers identify themselves when approaching an individual to detain
• Arresting officers' training
• If arresting officers are federal agents.

To read the entire letter here.

This letter was also signed by Representatives Val Hoyle (D-OR), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (D-GA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Danny Davis (D-IL), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Jim Costa (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Andre Carson (D-IN), Darren Soto (D-FL), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO).

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