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September 28, 2026 (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that this summer, Committee Democrats traveled the country to conduct oversight of the Trump administration’s extreme and deadly mass deportation agenda – while Congressional Republicans refused to conduct any oversight on the topic.
In the past two years, Republicans in charge of Congress have scheduled fewer and fewer public hearings – and rarely invite Trump administration officials to testify on the record and under oath. This entire summer, the Committee held only two hearings – and none on Trump’s mass deportations or violent, out-of-control immigration enforcement.
“Under Donald Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has operated as a reckless and lawless department and its actions have resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens and immigrants alike,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “Sadly, Congressional Republicans have completely abdicated their oversight role of the Trump administration and have given Trump cover whenever they can. With deaths rising – and Republicans giving the Department more taxpayer money than ever – DHS needs more oversight, not less. In fact, congressional oversight is not optional – it is our duty. I am glad that while Republicans sat on their hands this summer, Committee Democrats led and showed the American people what accountability will look like next year.”
Shadow hearing on the conditions and oversight at Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey (June 17, 2026)
Ranking Member Thompson, Committee Democrats, and other Democratic Members held a shadow hearing and press conference in New Jersey on the Delaney Hall ICE detention center operated by GEO Group. Under Trump, we’ve seen detainees at Delaney Hall living in inhumane conditions, subjected to mistreatment and abuse by staff, and forced to eat food contaminated with worms. The facility has clearly failed to meet the basic standards of care that the Federal government must provide to individuals in its custody. At the hearing, Members heard directly from expert witnesses, local leaders, and a veteran detained by ICE on the conditions at the facility, the lack of oversight of the facility, and why it needs to be shut down.
“Over the last year and a half, Trump and his administration have created chaos across the country with their mass deportation campaign, an effort that began right here in Newark,” said Committee Member LaMonica McIver (D-NJ).
“Let me be clear: every person detained in this country — regardless of immigration status — is entitled to basic human dignity,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “They are entitled to safe and sanitary shelter, necessary medical care, access to legal counsel, and edible food.”
“If this was a nursing home that did not follow the rules of local or state government,” added Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, "we would have already moved to shut it down - period."
Shadow hearing on the tragic shooting and death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE in Houston, Texas (July 24, 2026)
Ranking Member Thompson, Committee Democrats, and other Democratic Members held a shadow hearing and press conference in Houston on ICE’s use of force and abuse of power after the tragic killing of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by ICE on July 7. Mr. Araujo was a beloved father, an upstanding member of his community, and was not the target of ICE’s operation. At the hearing, Members heard directly from the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare, faith leaders, and community advocates.
“Accountability means evidence. We demand DHS cooperate with local law enforcement agencies by sharing all the evidence in its possession on these shootings. Accountability means reform. Body-worn cameras must be in active use on every ICE agent. Witnesses must be protected against deportation, and ICE must submit to independent and transparent investigations following any use of deadly force,” said Ranking Member Thompson.
“Those of us in law enforcement don't take issue with deporting violent felons. However, here in Harris County, there are crimes and cases my office has not been able to prosecute because witnesses are scared of immigration consequences,” said Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare.
Shadow hearing on the tragic shooting and death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by ICE in Biddeford, Maine (August 17, 2026)
Ranking Member Thompson, Committee Democrats, and other Democratic Members of Congress held a shadow hearing and press conference in Maine on ICE’s use of force and abuse of power after the tragic killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by ICE in July. Mr. Durán Guerrero was a father, work permit holder, and was not the target of ICE’s operation. The ICE officer who killed him was not wearing a body-worn camera, had a history of violence, and was, by all accounts, unfit to have a badge and a gun. At the hearing, Members heard directly from representatives for the Durán Guerrero family, local officials, community advocates, and others on the state of the investigation and the impact ICE’s operations have had on Maine.
“Today’s hearing made clear that the Durán family deserves accountability and justice for Johan Sebastian’s death. ICE cannot continue using reckless and deadly force without consequence,” said Ranking Member Thompson.
“We will use what we’ve heard to investigate these operations and to demand answers and to hold this administration accountable,” added Committee Member Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA). “If not now, in four months.”
“Congress must hold this agency accountable before another family is forced to endure this kind of tragedy,” added Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME).
Press Conference on the tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam in Buffalo, New York (September 4, 2026)
Ranking Member Thompson and Committee Democrats held a press conference in Buffalo, New York, to renew calls for justice after the tragic death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam – a blind Rohingya refugee who had legal status – in February after he was abandoned by Border Patrol at a closed coffee shop in frigid temperatures. At the press conference, Members demanded DHS fully comply with the Erie County District Attorney’s homicide investigation into the death of Mr. Shah Alam.
“The Erie County medical examiner has ruled his death a homicide, yet DHS still won’t hand over a single meaningful record… Simply put, they are obstructing the pursuit of justice by local law enforcement,” said Committee Member Tim Kennedy (D-NY).
“What we're here asking is merely information to complete an investigation into what happened when an individual lost their life,” added Committee Member Lou Correa (D-CA). “Are those officers not trained to figure out what to do? Do they lack the training? What happened? What went wrong?”
“What is it that they are afraid of? What do they have to hide?” added Committee Member Nellie Pou (D-NJ). “I would say, let's let them have to prove the fact that what they are saying is absolutely correct, because we believe that if they continue to withhold that information, it is clear that they do not want to release the facts and be truthful about what happened.”
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