The Department of Homeland Security rebutted House Democrats who criticized its immigration enforcement after an ICE-involved fatal shooting in Minnesota. Lawmakers led by Rep. Bennie Thompson accused DHS and called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the department is enforcing laws passed by Congress and urged lawmakers to change statute if they object. DHS also released a list of noncitizens it said were arrested with serious convictions to illustrate its enforcement priorities.
DHS Pushes Back at House Democrats Over Immigration Criticism: "It's Quite Literally Their Job To Change The Law"
DHS slams Dems for complaining about immigration law: 'It is quite literally their job to change it'
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a forceful rebuttal after a group of House Democrats criticized the department's immigration enforcement during a high-profile press conference following an ICE-involved fatal shooting in Minnesota.
What Happened
Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) led the briefing, joined by Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Al Green (D-Texas) and other Democrats. The lawmakers faulted DHS for its handling of immigration enforcement and questioned federal law enforcement activity in Minneapolis after the death of Renee Nicole Good, which prompted protests and unrest.
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) directed pointed remarks at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: "You are terrible at doing your job. You are incompetent. You are shameless. But most of all, you are cruel... Democrats are going to remove you from office that you never deserved to hold in the first place."
DHS Response
In a statement emailed to Fox News Digital, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the department's actions and urged Congress to change the law if it disagreed with current enforcement priorities.
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary: "DHS is a law enforcement agency — enforcing the rule of law passed by Congress. If members don't like the law, it is quite literally their job to change it."
McLaughlin also highlighted what the department described as a sharp increase in assaults on ICE officers and criticized some politicians for prioritizing "showmanship and fundraising clicks" over public safety. She reiterated that DHS's enforcement reflects the laws currently on the books and that lawmakers who seek changes should pursue legislative remedies.
DHS Provides List Of Arrests
Accompanying its statement, DHS published a list of noncitizens it said were arrested during an enforcement push the department described as a stepped-up effort that began under the previous administration. DHS provided names, countries of origin, dates of final orders of removal when available, and the convictions it attributes to each individual.
Examples from the list (as reported by DHS) include convictions ranging from sexual assault and child-related offenses to homicide and violent assault. DHS presented these cases to underscore its focus on removing individuals with serious criminal convictions.
Note: All arrest and conviction details in the list are attributed to DHS's reporting. The claims and calls for impeachment were made publicly by the members of Congress cited above.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at press conference to discuss ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, as part of U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policy, at One World Trade Center in New York City, Jan. 8, 2026.(Reuters)
Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., speaks as fellow House Homeland Security Committee members look on during a news conference to discuss the killing of Renee Nicole Good outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C
Hernan Cortes-Valencia, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was convicted of sexual assault against a child, sexual assault-carnal abuse and four DUIs.
Sriudorn Phaivan, an illegal immigrant from Laos, has several convictions and is facing pending charges for two counts of receiving stolen property, flight to avoid prosecution or confinement and burglary.
Ge Yang, an illegal immigrant Laos with a final order of removal from Oct. 16, 2012, has several convictions under his belt.
Vannaleut Keomany, an illegal immigrant from Laos with a final order of removal dated Dec. 17, 2009, was convicted of two counts of attempting to commit strongarm rape.
Tou Vang, an illegal immigrant from Laos, was convicted of sexual assault and sodomy of a girl under the age of 13 and procuring a child for prostitution.
Chong Vue, an illegal immigrant form Laos, was convicted of strongarm rape of a 12-year-old girl, kidnapping a child with intent to sexually assault her, and vehicle theft.
Kou Lor, an illegal immigrant from Laos, was convicted of sexual assault, rape, rape with a weapon, statutory rape without force, two counts of burglary and shoplifting.
Pao Choua Xiong, an illegal immigrant from Laos was convicted of rape, fondling a child, two counts of domestic violence, burglary, larceny and disorderly conduct.
Gabriel Figueroa Gama, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was previously removed from the U.S. in 2002.
Abdirashid Adosh Elmi is an illegal immigrant from Somalia.
Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed, an illegal immigrant from Somalia, was convicted of two counts of negligent manslaughter with a vehicle, two counts of DUI, larceny and damage to property.
Mongong Kual Maniang Deng is an illegal immigrant from Sudan.
Aldrin Guerrero Munoz is an illegal immigrant from Mexico who has been convicted of homicide.
Gilberto Salguero Landaverde is an illegal immigrant from El Salvador.
Aler Gomez Lucas, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was convicted of negligent homicide with a vehicle and DUI.
Galuak Michael Rotgai, an illegal immigrant from Sudan, has been convicted of homicide and assault.
Shwe Htoo is an illegal immigrant from Burma.
Mariama Sia Kanu, an illegal immigrant from Sierra Leone, has multiple convictions.
Thai Lor, an illegal immigrant from Laos, was convicted of two counts of homicide.
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