A staffer for Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) allegedly pretended to be a lawyer in order to enter an ICE detention center and hand cell phones to detainees, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Thursday.
Benito Torres &#8220;repeatedly falsely claimed to be an attorney representing detainees — even signing federal paperwork attesting that he was legal counsel for specific individuals&#8221; at the Camp East Montana facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, DHS claimed. Torres &#8220;misrepresented himself at least 11 times,&#8221; according to DHS, citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records.
The detention facility&#8217;s administrator then &#8220;discovered that Torres was passing a phone to multiple detainees and spoke to him,&#8221; DHS said, adding that &#8220;at that time, Torres admitted he was not an attorney and was visiting as a private citizen.&#8221;
DHS shared an image of a visitor log that showed Torres identifying himself as a &#8220;lawyer&#8221; entering the facility to meet with a &#8220;client.&#8221; He last visited the facility on Jan. 30, Fox News <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dem-reps-staffer-repeatedly-posed-lawyer-detainees-smuggled-phone-texas-facility-ice-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
&#8220;After the fraudulent visit, officials reviewed past visitor logs and discovered Torres had repeatedly represented himself as a lawyer or said he was visiting for legal reasons,&#8221; DHS said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepEscobar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepEscobar</a>’s staffer, Benito Torres, repeatedly falsely claimed to be an attorney representing detainees — even signing federal paperwork attesting that he was legal counsel for specific individuals.
The facility administrator discovered that Torres was passing a phone to… <a href="https://t.co/MlA0C6jXBq">https://t.co/MlA0C6jXBq</a> <a href="https://t.co/73F0eisici">pic.twitter.com/73F0eisici</a>
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2034722163811397792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Escobar responded to the accusations against her one of her caseworkers, who she described as &#8220;a dedicated public servant, Army veteran, and experienced member of my team.&#8221;
&#8220;I have every reason to believe these allegations are unfounded,&#8221; she wrote in an X post Thursday.
&#8220;It is worth noting that ICE has refused to respond to multiple letters I’ve sent about Camp East Montana regarding deaths, including a homicide; outbreaks of diseases including COVID-19, measles, and tuberculosis; waste, fraud, and abuse; a lack of legal representation or medical care; and so much more.This administration has a history of engaging in intimidation tactics against Members of Congress as well as continuously attempting to obstruct our ability to provide oversight,&#8221; Escobar wrote.
The Democratic lawmaker said she stands &#8220;proudly by the members of my team who have demonstrated nothing but dedication and integrity to serving our nation and our community.&#8221;
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons sent a letter to Escobar Thursday asking her what she knew about her staffer&#8217;s alleged lies, according to Fox News.
&#8220;The available evidence demonstrates your staffer, a senior caseworker named Benito Torres, misrepresented himself as counsel for detainees in ICE custody, violated clear detention standards and security protocols prohibiting the use of cellphones inside ICE facilities, improperly met with multiple detainees, and falsely claimed to ICE personnel such use had been approved by the agency,&#8221; Lyons wrote.
&#8220;As a result of bringing a cell phone into the Camp East Montana facility, contrary to facility visitation policy, Mr. Torres’ misrepresentation that he is a licensed attorney to gain access to detainees, his improper meetings with groups of detainees, and his assertions to ICE personnel about the origins of his visit, Mr. Torres is herby [sic] prohibited from accessing any ICE facility,&#8221; he added.
Escobar has repeatedly called for the ICE facility&#8217;s closure following several detainee deaths and disease outbreaks.
&#8220;Camp East Montana &#8211; the $1.24 billion migrant detention facility in El Paso &#8211; has been disastrous and inhumane. DHS’s plan to warehouse human beings here is even worse,&#8221; Escobar wrote on X Monday.
&#8220;I’m proud of our local coordinated effort to prevent it. We won’t stop until this horrific idea is rejected,&#8221; she wrote.

Day Four Of The 2024 Democratic National Convention

Receipts Don’t Lie: Dem Staffer Accused Of Faking Identity At ICE Facility

Congress

Democrat

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

U.S.

President Donald Trump has tapped Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to serve as his next Secretary of Homeland Security, but the question remains: can he salvage the agency&#8217;s reputation and its mass deportation effort?
Leading up to the firing of outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the department faced backlash for its handling of immigration sweeps across major cities. In Minneapolis, it all came to a head after the fatal shootings of anti-ICE activists Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents.
At the time, Noem tagged Good and Pretti as domestic terrorists, drawing backlash from both sides of the aisle for getting ahead of federal probes.
In an attempt to clean up the situation, Trump sent his border czar, Tom Homan, into the Twin Cities to change the course of immigration raids and to quell chaos in the streets. In doing so, Trump replaced Noem ally Gregory Bovino, of Border Patrol, who was known for his aggressive tactics of carrying out roving patrols.
Homan changed all that, putting the focus on nabbing the worst criminals first.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Asked how Noem and Mullin differ, Homan says Mullin “doesn’t know the immigration game very well,” but is relying on “people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him,” adding: “That’s the way it should be.” <a href="https://t.co/x7QQkHDEH2">pic.twitter.com/x7QQkHDEH2</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034364253470183456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
On Wednesday, Fox News host Martha MacCallum asked Homan how <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/rand-paul-confronts-mullin-over-anger-issues-after-freaking-snake-jab?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Rand+Paul+Confronts+Mullin+Over+%E2%80%98Anger+Issues%E2%80%99+After+%E2%80%98Freaking+Snake%E2%80%99+Jab">Mullin</a> would differ from Noem as secretary.
The former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director said that while Mullin “doesn’t know the immigration game very well,” he&#8217;s relying on “people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him,” adding: “That’s the way it should be.”
Mullin faced a grilling from the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday, where he was asked about how he would  &#8220;reform&#8221; ICE. The Oklahoma lawmaker admitted that there&#8217;s a need for &#8220;a better approach,&#8221; adding, &#8220;I would love to see ICE become a transport more than the frontline.&#8221;
&#8220;If we can get back into just simply working with law enforcement, we&#8217;re going to them and we&#8217;re picking up these criminals from their jail. One, we&#8217;re gonna reimburse them for having the person there and that partnership is vitally important,&#8221; he said.
During a recent hearing, Noem defended DHS&#8217; use of &#8220;administrative immigration warrants,&#8221; which aren&#8217;t signed by a judge, to enter homes. She said they&#8217;ve only been used to enter homes in 28 instances.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/pressed-at-dhs-hearing-markwayne-mullin-walks-back-deranged-comment-about-alex-pretti?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Pressed+At+DHS+Hearing%2C+Markwayne+Mullin+Walks+Back+%E2%80%98Deranged%E2%80%99+Comment+About+Alex+Pretti">Mullin</a> suggested that would change.
&#8220;We will not enter a home or a place of business without a judicial warrant, unless we&#8217;re pursuing the individual that runs into a place of business or a house,&#8221; Mullin said during Wednesday&#8217;s hearing.
When it comes to sanctuary cities, Mullin indicated that his approach would involve holding discussions with their leaders to find common ground. When Trump sent Homan into Minneapolis, he changed Noem&#8217;s approach to pressuring sanctuary cities from the vantage point of television appearances and instead sat down with local sheriffs brokering deals that promoted better cooperation with ICE.
Homan&#8217;s actions led to a drawdown of thousands of Homeland Security agents deployed to Minneapolis.
&#8220;If they&#8217;re not willing to enforce federal law and work with us, then where&#8217;s the taxpayer dollars going to?&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;And ideally, I would like to go in there and talk to the mayors. I&#8217;d like to go in there and talk to the sheriffs, talk to the police chiefs, say what is your concerns, how can we get past this? Because the president has made it very clear, he wants to protect the streets for every American. He wants to restore law and order to every city. I don&#8217;t think that should be controversial,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;So maybe we sit down and we just work it out,&#8221; Mullin said, adding, &#8220;If we have to do something different, then we will, but that&#8217;s where I&#8217;m going to start at.&#8221;
Asked if he would withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities and states, Mullin signaled it &#8220;would be a last option,&#8221; adding that &#8220;at the end of the day, taxpayer dollars have to be used for the right purposes and if people are refusing to enforce the nation&#8217;s laws, then I think it&#8217;s really hard to justify why we&#8217;re sending them taxpayer dollars.&#8221;
&#8220;That is not going to be my first or second or even third approach, but that would be my last resort,&#8221; Mullin said.
Noem&#8217;s firing came after she blamed Trump for questionable $200 million TV ad contracts that promoted deportations and border security.
Hours before ousting Noem, Trump told Reuters that he had no knowledge of the expensive contracts.
Noem testified during a heated Congressional hearing that the contracts “went out to a competitive bid and career officials at the department chose who would do those advertising commercials.”
The contracts were awarded using “other than full and open competition” to a company formed days before, according to records recently obtained by The Daily Wire. That company then subcontracted the work to an organization headed by the husband of Noem’s former spokeswoman.
It now appears that Mullin wants to salvage the reputation of the department in the wake of Noem&#8217;s missteps.
&#8220;I hope that I&#8217;m not on the news six months from now every day,&#8221; Mullin said during Wednesday&#8217;s hearing.
&#8220;I hope DHS is just able to be laser focused on doing their job and it isn&#8217;t controversial about taking care of the homeland. I hope people have confidence in our agency again and I&#8217;m going to work every day to restore that,&#8221; Mullin said.
Mullin&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/mullin-dhs-nomination-clears-committee-after-democrat-breaks-ranks?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Mullin+DHS+Nomination+Clears+Committee+After+Democrat+Breaks+Ranks">nomination</a> passed a committee vote Thursday and is headed to the Senate floor.

Senate Holds Confirmation Hearing For DHS Secretary Nominee Markwayne Mullin

How Will Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign Change If Markwayne Mullin Becomes DHS Secretary?

Illegal Immigration

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Kristi Noem

Markwayne Mullin

Politics

Tom Homan

The Senate Homeland Security Committee voted Thursday to advance the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Mullin&#8217;s nomination will now head to a full Senate vote after clearing the committee in an 8-7 vote. The vote largely followed party lines, though Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) broke with Democrats to support the nomination.
<div id="attachment_1062285" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1062285" class="wp-image-1062285 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267258753-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)</div>
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who chairs the committee, voted against Mullin after a contentious exchange during Wednesday&#8217;s confirmation hearing, where Paul raised concerns about what he described as Mullin&#8217;s “pattern” of aggressive behavior.
Paul confronted Mullin with a compilation of video clips, including remarks about settling disputes physically, statements about “not afraid to bite” in a fight, and Mullin&#8217;s previous challenge to the Teamsters president during a congressional hearing.
The Kentucky senator also referenced a 2017 assault in which he was seriously injured by a neighbor, accusing Mullin of previously appearing to justify the attack.
“You told the media that I was a freakin’ snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain, and my family so much pain.&#8221;
Paul questioned whether Mullin&#8217;s past remarks made him fit to lead an agency responsible for enforcing federal law.
&#8220;I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force,” Paul said.
&nbsp;
<div id="attachment_1062289" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1062289" class="wp-image-1062289 size-full" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2267253588-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)</div>
Mullin, however, didn&#8217;t apologize or walk back any of his past statements.
“Everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point. And if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face,” Mullin said.
Mullin denied endorsing violence and accused Paul of misrepresenting his record.
“As far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise,&#8221; Mullin said.  &#8220;If I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows I’ll come straight to you, I’ll say it publicly and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back.”
Mullin also attempted to strike a conciliatory tone, asking Paul to move past their dispute.
“Let me earn your respect, let me earn the job,&#8221; he said. “I’m not perfect, I don’t claim to be perfect. I make mistakes just like anybody else. But mistakes, if you own them, you can learn from, and you can move ahead. And I’ll make that commitment to you,” he added.
<div class="ad-wrapper" data-narration-ignore="true" data-testid="ad-wrapper">
If confirmed, Mullin would take over an agency facing scrutiny over its handling of immigration enforcement policies.
During an interview Wednesday, President Donald Trump&#8217;s border czar, Tom Homan, said Mullin “doesn’t know the immigration game very well,” but is relying on “people with 30, 40 years of experience to guide him,” adding: “That’s the way it should be.”
</div>

Mullin To Face Senate Scrutiny Over Ability To Lead Behemoth DHS

Mullin DHS Nomination Clears Committee After Democrat Breaks Ranks

John Fetterman

Rand Paul

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) grilled his Republican colleague, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), for appearing to &#8220;justify&#8221; a violent attack he experienced in 2017 and showing a &#8220;pattern&#8221; of aggression.
The confrontation occurred on Wednesday during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on Mullin&#8217;s nomination to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Paul first brought up Mullin&#8217;s previous comment, in which Mullin called Paul a &#8220;freaking snake,&#8221; and for voting against his amendment to stop funding for refugee welfare programs in February. He also later played a compilation of clips that appeared to show Mullin advocating bringing back canings for men to &#8220;settle&#8221; their differences, saying he&#8217;s &#8220;not afraid to bite&#8221; during a confrontation, and previously challenging the Teamsters president to a physical fight.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mullin responds: <a href="https://t.co/Su2BSJqqRD">pic.twitter.com/Su2BSJqqRD</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034270096881865058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;You told the media that I was a freakin&#8217; snake and that you completely understood why I had been assaulted. I was shocked that you would justify and celebrate this violent assault that caused me so much pain, and my family so much pain. I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force,&#8221; Paul said.
&#8220;You went on to brag that you’d already told me to my face that you completely understood and approved of the assault. Well, that’s a lie. You&#8217;ve got a chance today, you can either continue to lie, or you can correct the record,&#8221; the Kentucky lawmaker added.
Paul was assaulted in 2017 by a neighbor while doing yard work. He was left seriously injured.
&#8220;Tell the world why you believe I deserve to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it. And while you&#8217;re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents. Explain to the American public how a man who has no regrets about brawling in a Senate committee could set a proper example for over 250,000 men and women who work at the Department of Homeland Security.&#8221;
Mullin then took an opportunity to respond to Paul in his opening statement, but didn&#8217;t apologize or walk back any of his previous statements.
“I have to address remarks the chairman made calling me a liar. Sir &#8230; everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point. And if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face,” Mullin said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Rand Paul &#8220;rolls the tapes&#8221; on Markwayne Mullin&#8217;s &#8220;pattern&#8221; of violence <a href="https://t.co/iymerPC77T">pic.twitter.com/iymerPC77T</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034270802581876892?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us,&#8221; the Oklahoma senator said. &#8220;I did address those remarks, I did explain your gimmicks by the amendment you put forth. And as far as me saying that I invoke violence, I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise, I don’t like that, but if I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows I&#8217;ll come straight to you, I’ll say it publicly and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back. So for you to say I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate.&#8221;
Mullin appeared to extend an olive branch, but Paul didn&#8217;t seem satisfied without an overt apology.
&#8220;So I can set it aside, if you’re willing to set it aside. Let me earn your respect, let me earn the job. I won’t fail you, I won’t back down from a challenge, and I&#8217;ll also admit when I’m wrong,&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;I’m not perfect, I don’t claim to be perfect. I make mistakes just like anybody else. But mistakes, if you own them, you can learn from, and you can move ahead. And I’ll make that commitment to you,&#8221; he added.

Untitled design – 2026-03-18T092924.390

Rand Paul Confronts Mullin Over ‘Anger Issues’ After ‘Freaking Snake’ Jab

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) said he regretted calling Alex Pretti a &#8220;deranged individual&#8221; after he was fatally shot by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis in January.
Mullin made the statement during a Wednesday Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing on his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed, the Oklahoma Republican would inherit an agency facing scrutiny over its handling of the fatal shootings of both Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Leading up to her firing, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced scrutiny for statements about the motives of Pretti and Good before the investigation concluded, accusing both of committing an act of domestic terrorism.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Marykwayne Mullin says he regrets calling Alex Pretti a &#8220;deranged individual that came into cause max damage.&#8221;
&#8220;I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That’s my fault. That won’t happen as secretary.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/kDbXXgrHDc">pic.twitter.com/kDbXXgrHDc</a>
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JennieSTaer/status/2034273306736566624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) asked Mullin if he intends to do the same.
&#8220;After DHS officers shot and killed two American citizens this past January, you joined top administration officials in publicly blaming and disparaging the victims,&#8221; Peters said. &#8220;Following the killing of Renee Good, Secretary Noem called her a domestic terrorist.&#8221;
&#8220;You, sir, you called Alex Pretti &#8216;a deranged individual that came in to cause max damage.&#8217; Could we expect those kinds of quick responses if you are confirmed as secretary?&#8221; Peters asked.
Mullin responded bluntly that he wouldn&#8217;t do the same and expressed remorse for his previous comment.
&#8220;No, senator, I have a deep amount of respect for you. We’ve had our differences, but I do respect you. I think I&#8217;ve said this privately when we had a conversation. Those words probably should have been retracted,&#8221; Mullin said.
&#8220;I shouldn&#8217;t have said that. And as secretary, I wouldn’t. The investigation is ongoing &#8230; I went out there too fast. I was responding immediately without the facts. That’s my fault. That won’t happen as secretary,&#8221; he added.
Peters then asked Mullin to apologize to Pretti&#8217;s family, which he said he would &#8220;absolutely&#8221; do if the investigation proves him wrong.
Following the shootings, President Donald Trump sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis to take over operations. In doing so, Trump replaced Noem-ally Gregory Bovino, a top Border Patrol official, who has since announced his retirement from the agency.

Pressed At DHS Hearing, Markwayne Mullin Walks Back ‘Deranged’ Comment About Alex Pretti

Minneapolis

Republican Senator Rick Scott is set to introduce legislation that would spell major financial losses for sanctuary cities and states, The Daily Wire has learned.
The Florida senator introduced the bill — dubbed the Unifying American Security Interests Act — to explicitly tie eligibility for federal grants to cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In order to secure the federal funds, cities would need to honor ICE detainers, conduct joint training with immigration officers, and commit to openly sharing information with federal authorities.
Along with the aforementioned bill, Scott introduced the Sanctuary Jurisdiction Event Security Enhancement Act, which bars sanctuary cities and states from receiving federal funding for event security through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Special Event Assessment Rating.
“Democrat politicians are putting illegal aliens first and the American people last, harboring criminals in sanctuary cities where they refuse to enforce our laws,&#8221; Scott said in a statement shared with The Daily Wire.
&#8220;President Trump is doing his part by securing the border, now Congress must pass my bills to hold sanctuary cities and states accountable by withholding federal tax dollars until they cooperate with federal law enforcement,&#8221; Scott said.
President Donald Trump has previously threatened to cut federal funding to sanctuary jurisdictions amid his mass deportation crackdown.
Trump accused sanctuary cities and states of doing &#8220;everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens,&#8221; adding that &#8220;it breeds fraud and crime and all of the other problems that come,&#8221; <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-immigration-funds-sanctuary-cities-states-february-rcna253986" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to NBC News.
The state of Virginia and its new Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger have drawn the ire of the Trump administration over recent crimes carried out by illegal immigrant offenders.
In the latest example, the Department of Homeland Security is begging local authorities in Fairfax County not to release an illegal immigrant accused of groping at least a dozen female students while he attended a local high school with them as an adult.
“This 19-year-old criminal illegal alien should NOT have been attending a Virginia high school and allowed to prey on innocent teenage girls. He now faces nine counts of assault and battery. This is yet another example of the Biden Administration’s failed open border policies,” Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement Monday regarding the case.
“We are calling on Fairfax County sanctuary politicians to NOT release this predator from jail back into our communities to assault more teenage women. Unfortunately, Governor Abigail Spanberger ended cooperation with ICE and is siding with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens.”
The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office told The Daily Wire that they don’t “obstruct or prevent ICE from acting on their civil detainers,” but didn’t say whether they’d notify federal immigration officers ahead of the suspect&#8217;s eventual release.
“While it is still too early in the process to know the outcome of his case, ICE has been notified of Ortiz’s location at the ADC [Adult Detention Center], and they are able to execute their detainer by responding to the ADC and taking Ortiz into custody if and when he is ordered released,” the sheriff’s office said.

Zohran Mamdani holds a press conference outside the Federal Plaza in NYC

New GOP Bills Would Withhold Federal Funds From Sanctuary Cities

Republican

Rick Scott

Sanctuary Cities

El Centro Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, who was known for his aggressive roving patrols in major American cities, will soon retire.
Bovino was tapped to lead aggressive raids in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis, where he was eventually replaced after the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in January. He soon became the face of the Trump administration&#8217;s mass deportation campaign and was seen walking around cities accompanied by federal agents as they conducted roving patrols.
President Donald Trump replaced Bovino with border czar Tom Homan in the aftermath of the deadly shootings.
After Minneapolis, Bovino was sent back to his post at the border, ending his long reign leading the aggressive immigration sweeps across the country.
While serving as a commander for the at-large operations across the country, Bovino has aligned himself with outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, advocating for increasing arrest numbers and putting on a show of force, as previously reported by The Daily Wire. Homan, however, has long advocated for ditching quotas and focusing on nabbing the worst criminals first.
The Border Patrol official plans to leave the agency at the end of March after serving the agency since the 1990s.
&#8220;The greatest honor of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced,” Bovino <a href="https://www.breitbart.com/border/2026/03/16/exclusive-border-patrol-sector-chief-gregory-bovino-to-retire-after-leading-largest-interior-immigration-operations-in-u-s-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Breitbart Sunday, adding, “Watching these agents out there giving it their all in some of the most dangerous of environments we have ever faced was humbling.”
Bovino&#8217;s retirement coincides with Noem&#8217;s exit as Homeland Security secretary at the end of the month. Leading up to her firing, Noem faced backlash for tagging Pretti as a domestic terrorist without waiting for a federal investigation into the fatal shooting to conclude.
Bovino also apparently got ahead of an investigation, claiming Pretti intended to &#8220;massacre&#8221; federal agents.
Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker weighed in on Bovino&#8217;s expected exit, writing on X Monday that &#8220;Bovino won&#8217;t just get to walk away,&#8221; adding that &#8220;he will be held accountable and responsible for the damage he&#8217;s done to our nation.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Greg Bovino won’t just get to walk away — he will be held accountable and responsible for the damage he&#8217;s done to our nation.
We won’t forget, and neither should you.
No one is above the law. <a href="https://t.co/s5BUFt7lT1">https://t.co/s5BUFt7lT1</a>
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovPritzker/status/2033620925963219309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Border Patrol operating in Minneapolis

He Led The Nation’s Most Aggressive Immigration Sweeps. Now He’s Set To Retire.

Top Border Patrol Official Who Led Aggressive Immigration Raids In Minneapolis Set To Retire

Border Patrol

A small town in Georgia announced that it has cut off water to a planned federal immigration detention center.
The city of Social Circle, Georgia, said it placed a lock on the water meter connected to the warehouse that Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently purchased to detain more illegal immigrants, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/social-circle-planned-georgia-ice-detention-center-water-cut-off/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to CBS News. City officials notified ICE of the lock after the federal agency inquired about &#8220;how to establish an account.&#8221;
&#8220;The lock is there until ICE indicates how water and sewer will be served without exceeding our limited infrastructure capacity,&#8221; the city, which is home to roughly 5,500 residents, said in a statement, according to CBS News.
ICE purchased the facility with plans to house roughly 7,500 to 10,000 detainees, supported by a staff of 2,000 to 2,500, according to CBS News.
Since the city learned of ICE&#8217;s plans, local officials began sharing concerns about a potential strain on water usage, the news outlet reported.
&#8220;Our permit to draw water out of the river is 1 million gallons a day. Our sewer plant can process 660,000 gallons per day and is at capacity,&#8221; the city&#8217;s statement adds. &#8220;Their BLUF analysis indicates a daily water and sewer need that exceeds these amounts.&#8221;
But the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has asserted that the facility will be designed &#8220;to not affect the existing infrastructure adversely in any way.&#8221;
&#8220;The design currently includes on-site mitigation strategies for wastewater treatment. Additional contingencies are in place if required due to non-engineering circumstances,&#8221; an internal DHS document on the plans read, according to CBS News.
ICE has reportedly purchased warehouses across the country to expand its mass deportation effort and its capacity to hold more illegal immigrants.
The agency is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the expansion thanks to the influx of cash from the One Big Beautiful bill, <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/01/ice-detention-centers-jails-noem-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Axios. The agency was holding roughly 70,000 detainees as of January.
In a statement to The Daily Wire, an ICE spokesperson slammed &#8220;elected officials who are intentionally trying to obstruct DHS law enforcement,&#8221; and &#8220;wasting law enforcement time, energy, and resources, while putting their own constituents in danger.&#8221;
&#8220;Under President Trump, ICE is building the infrastructure necessary to arrest, detain, and remove criminal illegal aliens from American streets. Sites undergo community impact studies and a rigorous due diligence process to make sure there is no hardship on local utilities or infrastructure prior to purchase,&#8221; the spokesperson said.
&#8220;Trying to prevent ICE from taking violent criminal illegal aliens off the streets and detaining them for removal goes to show who these &#8216;leaders&#8217; really stand with,&#8221; they added.
ICE hopes to increase its detention capacity to hold 92,600 illegal immigrants at a time, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/us-news/ice-plans-38-billion-expansion-of-immigration-detention-facilities-e63926dd?gaa_at=eafs&amp;gaa_n=AWEtsqfDYqI973I1iFfEMBmaZMPl8hlYbNezc_D-yzv8T8SnQo4RSPkLHrxQQhwVdac%3D&amp;gaa_ts=69b9bd1b&amp;gaa_sig=5QOnrYlaLGtC1ReChACA25D687RZBl4NTJ6tl816GgUYIGyo3JsCsVEl-9hPbXV7EV41QVs1iL71q9114piZiw%3D%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> last month.
“For ICE to sustain the anticipated increase in enforcement operations and arrests in 2026, an increase in detention capacity will be a necessary downstream requirement,” internal documents said, according to the outlet.

ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US

A Small Town Is Trying to Pull The Plug On A Local ICE Detention Center

Georgia Town Cuts Off Water To Planned ICE Detention Center

Georgia

A 19-year-old illegal immigrant is accused of groping multiple girls while attending a high school in Virginia — and the Trump administration is now pressuring sanctuary officials in the state against releasing the alleged predator.
Roughly a dozen girls reported that Israel Christopher Flores-Ortiz of El Salvador put his hands between their legs, groped their private areas, and moved his hands to their butts in the school&#8217;s hallways, <a href="https://wjla.com/news/local/illegal-immigrant-student-groping-girls-fairfax-county-high-school-assault-battery-crime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to ABC 7. He has since been charged with nine counts of assault and battery.
“There&#8217;s a group of about 12 individuals that have reported this assault,” one mother told ABC7. “It was all perpetrated by a single individual who is a stranger to the girls. He just sneakily walked up behind them and put his hand in between their legs. It was not just a butt smack or a butt grab. It was a groping of a private area. It had been occurring for several months.”
Flores-Ortiz, an adult, is a junior at Fairfax High School, according to ABC 7. He crossed the border in 2024 and was subsequently released into the United States.
“This 19-year-old criminal illegal alien should NOT have been attending a Virginia high school and allowed to prey on innocent teenage girls. He now faces nine counts of assault and battery. This is yet another example of the Biden Administration’s failed open border policies,” Homeland Security Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement Monday.
“We are calling on Fairfax County sanctuary politicians to NOT release this predator from jail back into our communities to assault more teenage women. Unfortunately, Governor Abigail Spanberger ended cooperation with ICE and is siding with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens.”
Spanberger&#8217;s office didn&#8217;t respond to a request for comment.
The Fairfax County Sheriff&#8217;s Office told The Daily Wire they don&#8217;t &#8220;obstruct or prevent ICE from acting on their civil detainers,&#8221; but didn&#8217;t say whether they&#8217;d notify federal immigration officers of any future release.
&#8220;While it is still too early in the process to know the outcome of his case, ICE has been notified of Ortiz’s location at the ADC [Adult Detention Center], and they are able to execute their detainer by responding to the ADC and taking Ortiz into custody if and when he is ordered released,&#8221; the sheriff&#8217;s office said.
Meanwhile, parents from the school have expressed outrage with what they describe as a cover-up of the gropings. The parents also said the school system told them they would allow the illegal immigrant to return to school upon his release.
“They have attempted to sweep it under the rug,” one mother told ABC7.
“They sent out a letter last night,&#8221; the mother said, adding, “But it was a completely sanitized letter.”
The school didn&#8217;t notify the parents of the gropings until two weeks after they were reported, ABC7 reported.
“After we demanded it, multiple parents demanded that there be a letter before we got it,” another mother said.
“The girls have experienced harassment and bullying from peers at school, including people that they once thought were their friends, and the letter that they sent out, referencing it only as buttocks touching, just adds fuel to rumors that they were just attention seeking,” one mother told ABC 7.
In a statement to ABC 7, Fairfax County Public Schools declined &#8220;to comment on specifics due to federal and state privacy laws,&#8221; adding &#8220;we prioritize student and staff safety and we fully investigate any time someone shares that an incident has occurred at school, or that they do not feel safe at school.&#8221;
&#8220;We are grateful to our law enforcement partners who continue to work swiftly and thoroughly when there are safety concerns in our schools. The safety of all FCPS students and staff remains a top priority,&#8221; the school system said.

Untitled design – 2026-03-17T141907.282

Feds Call Out Sanctuary Policies After Illegal Immigrant Accused Of Groping Multiple Girls

Feds Call Out Sanctuary Virginia After Illegal Immigrant Adult Groped Multiple Girls While At School

Virginia

An Iraqi-born man who was arrested after entering a Texas elementary school clad in tactical gear and carrying a gun has been released back onto the streets.
Kyle Najm Chris, also known as Muhi Mohanad Najm, showed up at Zwink Elementary School in Spring, Texas, last Tuesday and walked into the front office with a load-bearing vest, a taser, and a holstered firearm, according to court records. Chris, who became a naturalized United States citizen in 2022, was arrested Wednesday and charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, a third-degree felony.
The 39-year-old has since posted his $75,000 bond and was released from custody Sunday, according to court records.
Chris allegedly walked into the school&#8217;s front office in tactical gear with a holstered firearm after another visitor failed to close the door behind them. A school employee asked Chris how he got in, and he told her the door was unlatched.
Chris also asked if there was armed security on school property, according to court documents.
He was asked to provide an ID, but didn&#8217;t give one, nor did he identify himself. Chris soon left the school and drove away.
Chris had a private investigator license and a Texas concealed handgun license, but did not have any ties to the school, <a href="https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/man-enter-spring-elementary-school-armed-court-docs-show/285-941acaf7-09c3-4666-b479-0a8dafed017b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to local news outlet KHOU.
Chris is required to be under 24-hour house arrest with a GPS monitor and is banned from going near any Klein ISD property, <a href="https://www.fox26houston.com/news/klein-isd-school-man-armed-gun-arrest-2026-march" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to Fox 26.
The incident comes amid a string of terror attacks on United States soil that have allegedly been committed by naturalized citizens.
Last Thursday, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a naturalized citizen born in Sierra Leone, opened fire at Old Dominion University, killing a decorated service member. Jalloh was an ex-National Guard soldier previously convicted of terrorism charges after he tried to join ISIS.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxNews</a> has obtained a photo of the Austin, TX mass shooter, armed &amp; wearing a sweater that says “Property of Allah”. He has not been identified by authorities, but multiple federal law enforcement sources tell FOX he is a 53-year-old naturalized US citizen who was… <a href="https://t.co/YjyT8sIuBr">pic.twitter.com/YjyT8sIuBr</a>
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) <a href="https://twitter.com/BillMelugin_/status/2028171028900266261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Hours later, Ayman Mohamad Ghazali rammed a vehicle into a Michigan synagogue and opened fire on the building before he was taken out. Ghazali was born in Lebanon and became a naturalized United States citizen in 2016.
The alleged shooter who opened fire on an Austin bar on March 1 was also a naturalized United States citizen born in Senegal. Ndiaga Diagne, 53, was donning clothes with the Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah&#8221; when he fired the shots that killed three people.
The pattern of attacks has resulted in calls to reform the legal immigration system, which makes denaturalization difficult, even in cases where crimes have been committed. In most situations, federal authorities would have to find evidence of fraud tied to their immigration cases in order to pursue denaturalization, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/what-happens-when-a-naturalized-citizen-commits-terror-in-america?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=What+Happens+When+A+Naturalized+Citizen+Commits+Terror+In+America%3F">experts recently told The Daily Wire</a>.
“We’re not talking about a crime, we’re talking about an immigration law violation,” immigration attorney Matthew Kolken said.
“Even though the United States wants to denaturalize somebody because they engaged in an act of terrorism and murdered people in this country, the way that you would effectuate a denaturalization is if you discover a fraud that was not disclosed in furtherance of their immigration journey,” Kolken added.
FBI Director Kash Patel said on X Tuesday that &#8220;current law makes revoking citizenship extremely difficult unless fraud in the naturalization process can be proven,&#8221; adding that it creates a &#8220;gap&#8221; that &#8220;leaves serious national security concerns, and it’s a reality we have to confront head on.&#8221;

Soldier in gloves holding miltary armor vest.

Iraqi-Born Man Released From Jail After Showing Up To Elementary School In Tactical Gear With Gun

Crime

Immigration

School Shooting

Texas

The Department of Justice charged the man accused of selling a firearm to the Old Dominion University shooter, who had already been convicted of supporting terrorism.
Feds charged Kenya Chapman Friday for allegedly carrying out the sale to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/old-dominion-university-gunman-identified-as-ex-national-guardsman-turned-isis-operative?author=Jennie+Taer&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Old+Dominion+University+Gunman+Identified+As+Ex-National+Guardsman+Turned+ISIS+Operative">Mohamed Bailor Jalloh</a>, a former National Guard soldier who was previously convicted of supporting ISIS, but released early in 2024 after completing a drug program, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/old-dominion-university-shooting-rotc-3e9049d15354b33bba37035a98a5299f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the Associated Press.
Jalloh, 36, killed an ROTC professor, who was a decorated war hero, during the Thursday attack. Two other service members were injured before heroic students intervened to subdue him.
Chapman told authorities that he had no idea Jalloh planned to carry out the attack, the news outlet reported. He faces charges for making a false statement during a firearm purchase and engaging in the business of firearms dealing without a license.
Chapman said he stole the gun from a car in Newport News, Virginia, about a year ago, before he recently sold it to Jalloh, the Associated Press reported. After the pair met at work, Jalloh told Chapman he needed a gun for protection as a delivery driver. Chapman said he knew Jalloh was previously incarcerated, but claimed he didn&#8217;t know of his past felony conviction.
It&#8217;s not the first time Chapman has been the subject of a federal investigation, according to the Associated Press. In 2021, federal authorities issued Chapman a &#8220;straw purchaser warning letter.&#8221;
Chapman later sent an apology letter admitting to selling guns to buyers who intended to give the firearms to people who can&#8217;t legally purchase them, per the AP.
The serial number on the gun Jalloh allegedly used Thursday was partially destroyed. Authorities combed through phone records, finding that Chapman and Jalloh had multiple calls in the week before the shooting.
For his terrorism case, Jalloh was sentenced to 11 years behind bars and an additional five years of supervised release. He was released early in 2024 for completing a drug program, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/jalloh-old-dominion-university-shooting-islamic-state-b257727b0167982fbffafae2eb8548fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to the AP.
He was convicted after traveling to Africa with his father in 2015, where he met with an ISIS recruiter, according to NBC4. He later went to Sierra Leone to stay with the group’s facilitator and made plans to visit Libya to join the terrorist organization, but that never happened.
He also went to Niger to join ISIS and even boarded a truck full of other terror recruits, but bailed out after 18 hours, according to NBC4.
At one point, he sent $500 to a man he believed was an ISIS member, who was actually an undercover FBI agent.
In October 2016, Jalloh pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
Jalloh, who is a naturalized American citizen from Sierra Leone, stormed the ROTC classroom Thursday, shooting the professor several times, according to the New York Post.
The instructor died at the hospital, according to the news outlet.
&#8220;A group of brave students &#8230; stepped in and subdued&#8221; Jalloh, FBI Director Kash Patel said Thursday.
“The FBI is now investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged, embedded with local authorities, and providing all resources necessary in the investigation,” Patel said.
The attack happened hours before a man rammed a vehicle into a Michigan synagogue and opened fire on the building before meeting his demise.

US-NEWS-CMP-OLD-DOMINION-SHOOTING-VP

Feds Nab Man Accused Of Arming Old Dominion Terrorist

ISIS

Old Dominion University

ROTC

Terrorism

On Thursday, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh — an ex-National Guard soldier previously convicted of terrorism charges — opened fire at Old Dominion University, killing a decorated service member.
Jalloh, originally from Sierra Leone, is the latest naturalized American citizen to commit a violent attack in the United States. There have been at least three attacks carried out by naturalized citizens in the last two weeks, leading many to call for a change to the naturalization process that allows these attackers into the country.
It&#8217;s not that simple.
&#8220;If a naturalized U.S. citizen commits a heinous act of terrorism, that&#8217;s not a way to take away somebody&#8217;s [citizenship],&#8221; immigration attorney Matthew Kolken told The Daily Wire. &#8220;They&#8217;ve done everything right from an immigration standpoint.&#8221;
&#8220;The law does not allow you to just take away someone&#8217;s citizenship. They can be convicted of a crime and go to jail for the rest of their life, but they&#8217;ll die a United States citizen,&#8221; Kolken said.
Jalloh, for instance, was sentenced to 11 years in prison with another five years of supervised release in his terrorism case and was let out early in December 2024, according to the New York Post.
If the feds wanted to denaturalize Jalloh, they would&#8217;ve had to have found evidence of &#8220;fraud&#8221; tied to his immigration case.
&#8220;We&#8217;re not talking about a crime, we&#8217;re talking about an immigration law violation,&#8221; Kolken said.
&#8220;Even though you want to the United States wants to denaturalize somebody because they engaged in an act of terrorism and murdered people in this country, the way that you would effectuate a denaturalization is if you discover a fraud that was not disclosed in furtherance of their immigration journey,&#8221; Kolken said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
After the SAVE America Act, we must pass the SCAM Act so we can denaturalize &amp; deport those who are here to hurt Americans.
We must denaturalize those who shouldn&#8217;t be here.
Will is exactly right. <a href="https://t.co/z31zdDvzMZ">https://t.co/z31zdDvzMZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/QPN58EoJRX">pic.twitter.com/QPN58EoJRX</a>
— Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenEricSchmitt/status/2032220393608446018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In addition to committing immigration fraud, an individual can become denaturalized if they join the Communist Party or another &#8220;subversive organization&#8221; within five years of gaining citizenship, George Fishman, senior fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, said.
But Fishman warned that denaturalization is &#8220;tough,&#8221; adding that in Jalloh&#8217;s case, &#8220;unless the government can come up with evidence that he lied, he concealed a material fact during his naturalization, I&#8217;m not sure there&#8217;s really a viable way forward.&#8221;
Naturalized citizens can also lose their citizenship if they are discharged from the military &#8220;under other than honorable conditions&#8221; after obtaining citizenship based on their military service, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. They must have been discharged before having served honorably for &#8220;at least five years.&#8221;
The federal government naturalized 818,500 new citizens in fiscal year 2024, which ran between October 2023 and September 2024, according to federal data.
With the mountain of cases, it may be difficult to go back and audit those who&#8217;ve already been naturalized, Fishman said, adding that the federal government should &#8220;be much more deliberative in deciding whether to naturalize someone in the first place.&#8221;
For any future cases, Congress &#8220;could &#8230; toughen the standards for naturalization,&#8221; Fishman said.
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt (R) has introduced legislation to make it easier for the United States to denaturalize immigrants who pose a national security threat.
His proposed legislation, the Stop Citizenship Abuse and Misrepresentation (SCAM) Act, seeks to denaturalize those who commit welfare fraud, aggravated felonies, and espionage. It also applies to individuals with ties to drug cartels or foreign terrorist groups.
&#8220;We must denaturalize those who shouldn&#8217;t be here,&#8221; Schmitt said on X Thursday.

Naturalization Ceremony Held At Griffith Observatory For 10 New U.S. Citizens

What Happens When A Naturalized Citizen Commits Terror In America?

citizenship

Menu