Press Releases
Committee Dems Announce Terrorist Travel Task Force Members
(WASHINGTON) - Today the House Committee on Homeland Security Democrats announced the Democratic membership of the Committee’s Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry into the United States. This temporary panel will begin work in March and will complete its work in September. Full Committee Vice Ranking Member Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) will serve as the Task Force Ranking Member. Ranking Member Watson Coleman, along with the Democratic Task Force members, also sent a letter to Task Force … Continue Reading
March 08, 2017
Slashing Coast Guard, FEMA, TSA to Fund Wall Makes Country Less Secure
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that the White House intends to cut the budgets of the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA to pay for the President’s misguided immigration policies: “The Trump Administration’s misplaced budget priorities show us it is more concerned with keeping Trump’s campaign promises than keeping America safe and secure. Subjecting the Coast Guard, TSA, … Continue Reading
March 06, 2017
Thompson Statement on Second Muslim & Refugee Ban
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump’s new refugee and Muslim ban: "This new Muslim travel ban is just like the old: it discriminates against individuals from Muslim-majority countries and closes the door on vulnerable refugees fleeing violence and persecution around the world. Simply put, it flies in the face of our Nation's values and history. While this Executive … Continue Reading
March 04, 2017
Separating Children & Mothers Does Nothing to Keep Us Safe, Defies Family Values
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that the Trump Administration and the Department of Homeland Security are considering proposals to separate women and children at the border. "It's crystal clear: Trump's immigration policies have nothing to do with keeping the country safe. Trump is about keeping out people he doesn't like while stoking xenophobia and racism. Now we … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Thompson Statement on Jackson Mississippi DREAMer
2017 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Daniela Vargas, a DACA recipient from Jackson Mississippi. Congressman Thompson represents Jackson in the U.S. House of Representatives. "Our country must have immigration policies that are constitutional and remain true to our values. Ms. Vargas appears to have committed no crime and was only speaking out on behalf of her family, who is … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Thompson: Sessions Must Resign, Be Nowhere Near Investigation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the need for an independent commission to investigate all Administration and campaign ties to Russia. “As news reports continue to trickle in on this Administration’s shady cast of characters, the country realizes what Coretta Scott King always knew: that Jeff Sessions cannot be trusted with the humble … Continue Reading
March 01, 2017
New DHS Office Will Perpetuate Trump’s Myths About Immigrants & Crime
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump’s joint address to Congress and his creation of an office using Department of Homeland Security resources to stoke xenophobic fears about immigrants and crime. “It is clear from his address last night that President Trump is still fixated on spreading myths about immigrants and crime. When looking at actual statistics - facts … Continue Reading
February 21, 2017
Thompson Statement on Administration Plans for Mass Deportation
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the immigration enforcement memos released by the Department of Homeland Security today: “The memos DHS released today show that the Trump Administration is more concerned with attempting to fulfill misguided campaign promises than doing what is best for the safety and security of the country. Campaign season is over. This Administration must face the … Continue Reading
February 17, 2017
Conyers & Thompson Condemn Reports of Trump's Military Deportation Force
(WASHINGTON) - House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), today released the following joint statement in response to reports that President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security had plans to use the National Guard to round up and deport undocumented immigrants: “This draft memo shows the depths that Donald Trump will go to implement his callous “deportation force” and instill … Continue Reading
February 16, 2017
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on ICE Raids
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the apparent ramp up of apprehension raids: “It is obvious that the ICE raids over the past week represent a drastic change in policy. If the Administration was truly concerned with keeping the country safe, it would focus ICE’s resources on getting dangerous criminals off the streets and … Continue Reading
February 15, 2017
GAO High-Risk List: DHS Showing Improvement
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) high-risk list (GAO-17-317). Every two years, GAO releases a report to call attention to government agencies and program areas that are high-risk due to their vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or are most in need of transformation. "I am pleased to see that GAO has found that … Continue Reading
February 14, 2017
Thompson Statement on the Resignation of National Security Advisor Flynn
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn: “The resignation of Michael Flynn is welcome news but provides no answers as to the Trump Administration's apparent ties to Russia. It's clear from reporting that President Trump knew of Flynn's potential conflicts and ties to Russia in January and failed to act. Flynn should have never … Continue Reading
February 09, 2017
Thompson Statement on Unanimous Ruling Against Trump Administration Muslim Ban
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously refused to lift the nationwide halt on President Trump’s Muslim ban Executive Order: “The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimous decision to deny the Trump Administration's request to reinstate its unconstitutional Muslim ban is a victory for equal protection under the law and our fundamental American … Continue Reading
February 08, 2017
Congress Must Protect Electoral Systems & Preserve Election Assistance Commission
(WASHINGTON) - Yesterday, the Committee on House Administration voted on party lines to eliminate the independent Election Assistance Commission. The EAC was created to help states upgrade voting technology and promote critical election-related information sharing. Having up-to-date voting machine technology is critical to ensure they are protected from any potential hacking, tampering, or fraud. This inexplicable move willfully ignores the present-day threats to election … Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
Homeland Security Committee Ranking Members Announced
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the Committee’s new Democratic members and subcommittee Ranking Members for the 115th Congress. Ranking Member Thompson also announced the appointment of Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to be Vice Ranking Member of the full Committee. The full list of Committee membership can be seen here. Subcommittee Ranking Members: Rep. Filemon Vela (D-TX) - Border & Maritime … Continue Reading
January 29, 2017
Top House Judiciary, Foreign Affairs & Homeland Security Democrats Call for Meeting with Homeland Security Secretary; Raise Concerns Over Immigration Executive Order
(WASHINGTON) House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel (D-NY), House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly to raise concerns about President Donald Trump’s recent immigration executive order and … Continue Reading
January 28, 2017
Thompson Statement on the Effects of Trump's Executive Order
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the effects of President Trump’s Executive Order on refugees and immigration: “Barring vetted, approved refugees, visa holders, and even U.S. green card holders from boarding planes to this country or detaining them upon arrival simply because they hold passports from Muslim-majority countries does nothing to enhance homeland security. This shameful … Continue Reading
January 27, 2017
Trump Ends His First Week How He Began His Campaign: Sowing Fear and Embracing Stereotypes
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Executive Order on refugee vetting: “In his first week in office, President Trump has used the power of the Presidency to unilaterally issue directives based on the fear mongering, stereotyping, and bigotry that Americans first heard when he descended the escalator at Trump Tower in June 2015. Since taking office, the President has devoted more … Continue Reading
January 25, 2017
Thompson: Executive Order Amounts to Mere Political Theater
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order on the “border wall”: “The signing of today’s Executive Order on the “border wall” is nothing more than political theater that will do little to better secure America’s borders. The Department of Homeland Security already has the authority to build border fence where there is operational need. Wasting billions on a … Continue Reading
January 20, 2017
Statement on DHS Secretary Confirmation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Senate confirmation of General John F. Kelly to be Secretary of Homeland Security: "I congratulate General Kelly on his confirmation and look forward to working with him to help keep the country safe and secure. His solid background and history of service should be commended and helped ensure this critical national security position was quickly … Continue Reading