Senator Durbin Demands Answers from Kristi Noem on US Citizens Arrested in Immigration Operations
Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois and a high-ranking member of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, has sent a scathing letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, demanding answers about the arrest of US citizens during recent immigration enforcement operations.
Durbin disputed Noem's claim that no US citizens had been arrested or detained during the Trump administration's "offensive" against illegal immigration in the Chicago area, citing a report by the Chicago Sun-Times. He argued that the claim was "obviously false."
"In disturbing reality, many American citizens have been caught up in the indiscriminate and violent application of the Trump administration's national enforcement operation," Durbin wrote.
The senator cited examples of US citizens being arrested and detained under aggressive conditions, including being pushed into vehicles without identification, subjected to electric shocks, beaten, and shot with pepper spray. He also mentioned that some individuals were held for more than a day without contact with their lawyers or families.
Durbin pointed out that at least 40 US citizens have been arrested in Illinois since August, including around two dozen who were "held for more than a day without being able to contact anyone," including their lawyers.
He also highlighted the recent Supreme Court decision that halted an order prohibiting immigration agents from making stops based on race, ethnicity, and work, which has left African Americans and Latinos "justifiably fearful of being targeted by immigration raids."
Durbin specifically mentioned the detention of several US citizens, including a retired food service provider and an Air Force veteran who were handcuffed with plastic restraints during a military-style raid at a South Shore apartment complex in September; collaborators of Councilman Mike Rodriguez who were arrested in La Villita and Cicero neighborhoods; and a 15-year-old teenager who was detained in the East Side neighborhood for hours without being able to contact his family or lawyer.
Despite federal judges in Chicago issuing orders to limit immigration agents' actions, Durbin said these agents have continued "to carry out chaotic and cruel raids on immigration enforcement that are damaging and traumatizing communities across Illinois and nationwide."
Durbin requested various records related to the arrests of US citizens during immigration operations before December 16, including a breakdown by state and complaints and policies.
He emphasized the importance of congressional oversight, given Noem's decision to "reduce the offices responsible for monitoring the conduct of ICE agents and ensuring accountability for unlawful arrests and detentions."
Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois and a high-ranking member of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, has sent a scathing letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, demanding answers about the arrest of US citizens during recent immigration enforcement operations.
Durbin disputed Noem's claim that no US citizens had been arrested or detained during the Trump administration's "offensive" against illegal immigration in the Chicago area, citing a report by the Chicago Sun-Times. He argued that the claim was "obviously false."
"In disturbing reality, many American citizens have been caught up in the indiscriminate and violent application of the Trump administration's national enforcement operation," Durbin wrote.
The senator cited examples of US citizens being arrested and detained under aggressive conditions, including being pushed into vehicles without identification, subjected to electric shocks, beaten, and shot with pepper spray. He also mentioned that some individuals were held for more than a day without contact with their lawyers or families.
Durbin pointed out that at least 40 US citizens have been arrested in Illinois since August, including around two dozen who were "held for more than a day without being able to contact anyone," including their lawyers.
He also highlighted the recent Supreme Court decision that halted an order prohibiting immigration agents from making stops based on race, ethnicity, and work, which has left African Americans and Latinos "justifiably fearful of being targeted by immigration raids."
Durbin specifically mentioned the detention of several US citizens, including a retired food service provider and an Air Force veteran who were handcuffed with plastic restraints during a military-style raid at a South Shore apartment complex in September; collaborators of Councilman Mike Rodriguez who were arrested in La Villita and Cicero neighborhoods; and a 15-year-old teenager who was detained in the East Side neighborhood for hours without being able to contact his family or lawyer.
Despite federal judges in Chicago issuing orders to limit immigration agents' actions, Durbin said these agents have continued "to carry out chaotic and cruel raids on immigration enforcement that are damaging and traumatizing communities across Illinois and nationwide."
Durbin requested various records related to the arrests of US citizens during immigration operations before December 16, including a breakdown by state and complaints and policies.
He emphasized the importance of congressional oversight, given Noem's decision to "reduce the offices responsible for monitoring the conduct of ICE agents and ensuring accountability for unlawful arrests and detentions."
I'm like totally worried about this one. If US citizens are being arrested during immigration ops, it's a huge deal! 
I mean, come on, we're living in a country where everyone's supposed to be equal under the law. It's crazy that there are people being detained and possibly mistreated just because of who they are or where they're from. 
The fact that 40+ US citizens have been arrested in Illinois alone is wild. And what about those poor kids who were detained without even being able to contact their families? 
It's like, no one's looking out for them. I hope Durbin gets some answers from Noem and gets to the bottom of this stuff. We need some real change here! 
These stories about US citizens being arrested and detained under violent conditions are wild. I mean, 40+ people in Illinois alone? That's insane! And the fact that some were held for days without contact with their lawyers or families? No wonder people are scared 
. And now we're hearing about kids being detained too... like, what even is this? 
Federal judges trying to limit these raids but it seems like immigration agents just keep on doing whatever they want. Congress needs to get its act together and start keeping tabs on this stuff ASAP 
. It's like they're just caught up in the chaos without any care for their rights or humanity 
. And to think that some of these people were even shot with pepper spray 
, beaten... it's just outrageous! 
. Senator Durbin is totally right on this one 
. We need more transparency and accountability from our government officials 
. And what's up with these raids being done in military style? It's like they're trying to intimidate people, not catch bad guys 
. African Americans and Latinos are already feeling targeted, and now we're seeing all these US citizens getting caught up in the mess 
. We need to do something about this ASAP 
about this 
. Like, what even is the point of these raids if they're gonna catch law-abiding citizens too? 
And if Senator Durbin is speaking out against this stuff, that means there are people who care 
. We need to make sure our leaders are doing everything they can to protect our rights and prevent these kind of injustices from happening in the first place 
.
and these people being arrested and detained without their lawyers or families is just plain crazy! 
what kinda "cruel raids" are we talking about here?! 
I'm literally so angry for them and their families 
We need to do something about this ASAP 
️ Like, Senator Durbin is speaking truth to power and demanding answers from Noem 
So many innocent American citizens getting caught up in these immigration enforcement operations and treated like dirt 
Kristi Noem needs to explain herself ASAP 
The fact that people are being held for days without contact with their lawyers or families is just heartbreaking 
And don't even get me started on the trauma and fear these communities are going through... it's like, can't we all just get along?!