Rep. Goldman, Ranking Member Thompson Lead House Democrats in Response to President Trump’s Authoritarian Crackdown on Non-Violent, Law-Abiding Immigrants

 

Washington, D.C – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) and House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) today led 84 House Democrats in an oversight letter of inquiry to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem seeking answers regarding the rise in ICE employing its masked, plainclothes officers to detain non-violent, law-abiding immigrants immediately following and in coordination with the dismissal of their existing deportation cases by DHS attorneys.   

 

"Over the past week, we have witnessed federal agents lying in wait outside courtrooms, detaining individuals as they leave their hearings upon the expectation that their immigration proceedings — often including asylum applications — have been dismissed upon the government’s request. These mass arrests are part of what Trump administration officials have confirmed is a nationwide effort to terminate ongoing removal cases and reroute people into fast-tracked “expedited” removal proceedings, usually without counsel, due process, or any specific case-by-case analysis,” the Members wrote. 

 

This tactic runs directly contrary to Secretary Noem’s Senate confirmation testimony and President Trump’s repeated promises that he would only target violent criminals for removal. The dark shift in tactics follows reporting alleging that the President was frustrated with the level of deportations achieved under his administration thus far. 

 

“This new policy, designed to meet an arbitrary quota of deportations, is not targeting criminals — the “worst of the worst” as administration officials have repeatedly claimed — but instead is surreptitiously and deceptively aimed at those who are following the rules, voluntarily appearing in court, and doing it the right way. This policy neither targets criminals nor makes the public safer,” the Members continued. 

 

The inquiry demands the Secretary provide internal DHS guidance and documentation regarding the dismissal of ongoing court cases, data on those detained, including asylum seekers and individuals without criminal records, as well as clarification on DHS’s use of masked agents, courtroom surveillance, and coordination with the Department of Justice. 

 

“The United States is a nation founded by immigrants that has benefited immensely from immigration. As a democracy grounded in the principles of due process and equal protection under the law, the use of courthouse ambush tactics not only undermines those principles but directly contradicts the Department’s stated mission to uphold the law with integrity,” the Members wrote.  

 

 

 

 

Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons:  

  

We write to express grave concern over the disturbing pattern of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations taking place at immigration courts across the country — including recent incidents in New York City where masked, plainclothes ICE officers detained non-violent, non-criminal immigrants immediately following the dismissal of their existing deportation cases by DHS attorneys. 

  

Over the past week, we have witnessed federal agents lying in wait outside courtrooms, detaining individuals as they leave their hearings upon the expectation that their immigration proceedings — often including asylum applications — have been dismissed upon the government’s request. These mass arrests are part of what Trump administration officials have confirmed is a nationwide effort to terminate ongoing removal cases and reroute people into fast-tracked “expedited” removal proceedings, usually without counsel, due process, or any specific case-by-case analysis. 

  

By terminating ongoing removal proceedings, any pending asylum claim is rendered void, thereby creating a potentially short window to quickly deport immigrants who have previously applied for asylum, which, as you well know, is a legal pathway to enter the United States. It also bears emphasizing that asylum is not available to individuals convicted of serious crimes or deemed a danger to the security of the United States, meaning that those asserting asylum claims in immigration court are unlikely to have criminal backgrounds and are instead seeking protection under U.S. law.  

  

Recent reports indicate that the Trump administration is pressuring federal agencies to triple the number of daily immigration arrests as part of a sweeping push to achieve the arbitrary number of 1 million deportations a year. This effort has led to the reassignment of FBI agents, U.S. Marshals, DEA, and CBP officers to immigration enforcement duties — ultimately straining national security resources, diverting attention away from investigating serious crimes, and raising real concerns about the public safety priorities of this administration.  

  

During Secretary Noem’s confirmation hearing, you stated that DHS “would work every day to make sure people are safe and that those with criminal convictions are immediately removed.” However, it is clear that ICE is now targeting immigrants with no criminal history, many of whom are asylum seekers, parolees admitted through lawful processes, and students like Dylan — a 20-year-old Bronx high schooler who was detained after attending his court hearing alone and without a lawyer. He has since been transferred across four states, denied medical treatment, and cut off from legal representation. Dylan entered the United States lawfully in 2024, enrolled in public school, had employment authorization, and had no criminal record at the time of his detainment.   

  

This new policy, designed to meet an arbitrary quota of deportations, is not targeting criminals — the “worst of the worst” as administration officials have repeatedly claimed — but instead is surreptitiously and deceptively aimed at those who are following the rules, voluntarily appearing in court, and doing it the right way. This policy neither targets criminals nor makes the public safer.   

  

Instead, this policy creates perverse incentives for immigrants who are pursuing lawful pathways into our country and will encourage immigrants to go further underground and avoid following the lawful and official immigration process. This will not only result in the loss of tax and social security revenue — contributed by asylum-seekers eligible for work authorization — but will lead to greater disorder and public safety concerns. When combined with diverting significant law enforcement resources to arrests of non-violent immigrants instead of violent felons, the impact of this new policy makes our communities less safe.   

  

The United States is a nation founded by immigrants that has benefited immensely from immigration. As a democracy grounded in the principles of due process and equal protection under the law, the use of courthouse ambush tactics not only undermines those principles but directly contradicts the Department’s stated mission to uphold the law with integrity.   

  

Accordingly, as part of Congress’s constitutional obligation to conduct oversight of the Department, we demand written responses to the following questions no later than June 19, 2025:  

  

 

We urge DHS to immediately suspend enforcement actions targeting noncriminal immigrants and individuals who are actively complying with our immigration laws.   

  

We look forward to your prompt and forthright response.