Correspondence
Chairman Thompson Writes Secret Service for Campaign and Convention Coronavirus Contingency Plans
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Director of the U.S. Secret Service to request the Service's contingency plans related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of the presidential campaigns and the upcoming party conventions. Letter excerpts: I write to inquire about the plans in place for the United States Secret Service (USSS) to prepare for COVID-19 in the context of the presidential campaign as well … Continue Reading
March 12, 2020
Thompson Writes DHS, HHS, CDC on Rationale, Implementation Plan for Trump’s Travel Ban After Contradictory Statements
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to request more information on the travel ban announced by President Trump last night. In the letter, Chairman Thompson requests the rationale for the travel ban, including all plans and … Continue Reading
March 04, 2020
Chairman Thompson Requests DHS, Candidate Protection Advisory Committee Immediately Meet to Determine Secret Service Protection for Democratic Candidates
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and the Members of the Candidate Protection Advisory Committee, asking them to immediately convene to decide whether to provide Secret Service protection to Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Senator Bernard Sanders. Letter text: As the process for nominating the Democratic candidate for President of the United … Continue Reading
February 21, 2020
Chairman Thompson Writes Acting DHS Secretary Wolf on Election Security Post ODNI Staff Shakeup
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on election security in the wake of the ODNI staff shakeup. In the letter, Chairman Thompson demands DHS remain forthcoming, honest, and candid about election security threats. Letter excerpts: "I am concerned, however, that the President's recent decision to remove certain ODNI officials for providing … Continue Reading
February 18, 2020
Top Homeland & Judiciary Democrats Condemn Deployment of Tactical CBP Agents to Various Cities in U.S.
(WASHINGTON) - In response to reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection will deploy law enforcement tactical units to targeted cities in retaliation for their immigration policies, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Chairwoman Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY), and Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), sent a … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Chairman Thompson Demands Subpoenaed DHS Documents as the Department Continues to Stonewall Investigation into Deaths of Children in CBP Custody
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on the Committee's ongoing investigation of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of children in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody and the policies and procedures regarding medical care for children in CBP custody. Despite the fact that the Committee originally requested documents into this matter as far back as … Continue Reading
February 08, 2020
House Leaders Demand DHS Reverse Retaliatory Global Entry Ban on New York Residents
(WASHINGTON) - Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, & Operations, and Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf strongly opposing the decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discriminate against … Continue Reading
January 31, 2020
Congressional Leaders Call for Immediate Halt of Trump Programs that Rush Migrants Through Asylum Screenings
(WASHINGTON) - Congressional leaders called on Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to immediately halt implementation of the Trump Administration's new asylum programs, Prompt Asylum Claim Review (PACR) and the Humanitarian Asylum Review Process (HARP). These programs do not help asylum seekers but instead systematically deny them due process, leave them in life-threatening circumstances, and ultimately deny the opportunity to justly seek asylum in the United States. The letter … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Chairman Thompson, Committee Leaders Request Information on DHS Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security; Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Vice Chairwoman; and Subcommittee Chairs Reps. J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY), Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Max Rose (D-NY) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf requesting information on the Department of Homeland Security's efforts in addressing the health and … Continue Reading
January 27, 2020
Thompson Inquires on New Border Patrol Chief’s Involvement in Racist Social Media Groups
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Mark Morgan, Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), regarding the appointment of Rodney S. Scott as the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. According to media reports, Mr. Scott engaged with at least one social media site in which CBP personnel communicated vulgar and discriminatory comments. In the letter, Chairman Thompson requests all investigatory … Continue Reading
January 15, 2020
Chairman Thompson Requests Secret Service Cost to Protect President Trump and Family
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Director of the U.S. Secret Service to request information on the cost to American taxpayers to protect President Trump and his family on travel. Letter excerpts: President Trump and his family require 24-hour protection from the Secret Service, including trips taken for both official business and personal reasons. Such trips require the Secret Service to provide … Continue Reading
January 14, 2020
Thompson Leads Members Calling for Trump to Issue Puerto Rico Disaster Declaration
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, led a group of House Members in writing President Trump to urge him to, without delay, issue a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico after an earthquake devastated the island last week. Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced requested the President issue a major disaster declaration on Saturday and the President has yet to act. Despite it being over two years since Hurricane Maria, … Continue Reading
January 14, 2020
Warren, Thompson, Velázquez Urge President to Fully Fund Emergency Response in Puerto Rico
(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Financial Institutions & Consumer Protection, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), sent a letter urging President Trump to waive Puerto Rico's local cost-sharing requirement following recent earthquakes and to ensure that the federal government … Continue Reading
January 07, 2020
House Leaders Press Trump Administration On Reports of Iranian Americans Being Held at Border
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship and Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Committee on the Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY), House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), House Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border … Continue Reading
December 20, 2019
Chairman Thompson Writes DHS on Shocking Facial Recognition Report
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf regarding the Department's use of facial recognition technology after a government report came out yesterday on the technology's unreliability and racial bias. Chairman Thompson requests DHS conduct an immediate assessment of whether it should halt current facial recognition operations and plans for future expansion. Letter … Continue Reading
December 18, 2019
Thompson, Rogers Write Acting DHS Secretary Wolf After Department Fails to Comply with Subpoena
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Committee, sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf regarding the Committee's subpoena to the Department for border security documents. The Department did not meet the subpoena's December 11th deadline. Letter text: Dear Acting Secretary Wolf: As you know, on November 20, 2019, the Committee on Homeland Security … Continue Reading
December 17, 2019
Thompson, Richmond Request FBI Documents on Controversial “Black Identity Extremists” Classification
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA) sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting documents and a briefing from the FBI in light of additional reporting on the Bureau's controversial "Black Identity Extremists" (BIEs) classification. "To better understand the full scope of threats law enforcement faces and to ensure that the rights and privacy of community members are protected, … Continue Reading
December 10, 2019
Thompson and Maloney Highlight Coast Guard Obstruction After Commandant Refuses to Testify
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent a letter to Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, on his refusal to testify before the Committees' joint subcommittee hearing tomorrow on how the Coast Guard is handling complaints of harassment and bullying. "Your refusal to testify continues a troubling trend of impediments to … Continue Reading
December 04, 2019
Chairman Thompson Requests Investigation into $400 Million Border Wall Contract
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General to request a review of the $400 million border wall construction contract the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded to a company President Trump frequently touted. Letter text: I write seeking a review of the $400 million contract the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) awarded to Fisher Sand and Gravel Co. on … Continue Reading
November 15, 2019
Thompson and Maloney Ask for Emergency Review of Wolf and Cuccinelli Appointments
(Washington) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Acting Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent a letter to the Comptroller General of the United States requesting an expedited review of the legality of the appointment of Chad Wolf as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Ken Cuccinelli as Acting Deputy Secretary. "[R]ecently released documents suggest that the installation of Mr. … Continue Reading