[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6275193,"mediaKeyId","2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8","parentId",2776270,"title","Legal and civil-rights concerns raised as witnesses describe aggressive interior enforcement and novel detention uses","audioSeconds",2845,"startMs",1761000,"endMs",4606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8&start=1761&end=4606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8/thumbnail_1761000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6275193/Legal-and-civil-rights-concerns-raised-as-witnesses-describe-aggressive-interior-enforcement-and-novel-detention-uses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275193-4adca7d3fe01018498c99a625b0a6194/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149837&Signature=Up0LNPfS1hXQ6CIqexhuwLd~7dILlspyJeTwNL5ltRYe4Q3j~MiNQxvFSqd2utAX89g9x7T2AK9flCfX5m4-qSd3O-FjSQZ-dSLvryDwvhk44HNq2Nc0SCPg3KhCTcdpKvqVH4gchtg7rCw6KLsYnBa--vaGo3Y1qSh1u58TSbp~1ALp9bZVuqb2GBy8jM1B0rI~fu2hCC6UFsYWuxVHVy7Zj7ICTTIWoP~~dpin5ptVJ~wWaBGil9CUBMZVn3eVfLos6-df4-cve0Bs4vZ5x4pniyJ7Bulu-6U8vV74~sdXXeWyYERuV26ZA1iI-uw0GfEpcv2xmt76wqYXmKZOgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security","date","2025-03-26T04:16:36Z","article","Multiple witnesses and Democratic members said the Trump administration's early enforcement actions raise procedural and resource-allocation concerns.

Aaron Reichlin Melnick of the American Immigration Council said the current administration has “reassigned thousands of federal law enforcement officers away from their normal duties to instead carry out low level civil immigration enforcement arrests and prosecutions,” and warned that those personnel moves have diverted resources from investigations into child exploitation, drug trafficking and other crimes. Melnick added that agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF and HSI have reportedly been tapped to assist with immigration enforcement, which he said reduces investigators available for specialized criminal probes.

Melnick also criticized the use of Guantanamo Bay to detain migrants as expensive and inappropriate, saying it “did not improve our border security” and that many detainees held there “had no criminal records.” He expressed concern about the administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to remove individuals to El Salvador, calling the practice “a lack of due process” when individuals are not given notice or a prompt opportunity to contest the determination.

Members asked witnesses whether interior enforcement should focus on persons with final removal orders; answers varied. Laura Reese and other witnesses answered yes when asked about enforcing final orders; Melnick urged case-by-case review, noting that a portion of in-absentia orders are later overturned when people did not receive proper government notice.

Republican members emphasized large reported numbers of removable individuals and said large-scale interior enforcement and multi-jurisdictional operations are needed to target persons with criminal records. Democrats urged oversight and safeguards against wrongful detention of citizens, veterans and long-term legal residents.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Part 1: Consequences of Failure: How Biden’s Policies Fueled the Border Crisis","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses and Democratic members warned that the new administration’s interior enforcement moves, including reassigning federal agents, using Guantanamo Bay to house migrants and invoking the Alien Enemies Act to send detainees abroad, carry due-process and resource-diversion risks.","taxTitle","Homeland Security: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1831,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6275199,"Experts debate parole, NGO contracts and missing unaccompanied children during immigration hearing",93,2172000,2265000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8&start=2172&end=2265","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8/thumbnail_2172000.jpg","/articles/6275199/Experts-debate-parole-NGO-contracts-and-missing-unaccompanied-children-during-immigration-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275199-a72123694cdf6dd61c18490148f66e03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149837&Signature=ejikRk8DrQ0uR-YNCZ2FBdZpR4k92EWMv1PisJiP9rx17p1Ef5NzZ8CT3x9M2dVmDkyooFXYaDrbjlxwEEww~qyc-ARnfQSLOOizT-js~ePBXnNtKPjPU5qbsEwa~9CCXGR~natJehEkEqqWEF5pOmV7Oo6zC68pOY4s8PAoYG7072QYJ01VtRQvCq3Xwuf3yaD4N08Awq3xNjgHoy9SD0j3Yha0sICBfqLQth1p3EJXlaulBKX-dS7U1tWExy0aiPdhH6I1eY6RH7T-z-ZNPjQTD0o-Vv3GcpcM~YnNr8wS8zlDKBOMGaIIKVlHEEiXwVAgHhnknbRe-o~spld~mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laura Reese of the Heritage Foundation told the panel that policies implemented during the previous administration — including expanded use of parole, broad asylum intake and increased work authorization — encouraged mass unauthorized migration and overwhelmed government systems.

Reese said the prior administration “encouraged millions to come and apply for asylum,” and that parole was used “based mostly on nationality and in violation of the immigration statute” to admit large groups. She testified that the Department of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services paid nongovernmental organizations billions to create shelter and transportation networks she described as infrastructure for mass migration.

Reese also cited encounters with 550,000 unaccompanied children over four years and said HHS “turned them over to unvetted sponsors,” adding her concern that HHS “lost track of at least 300,000 of them” (these figures were presented by the witness and cited in her testimony).

Aaron Reichlin Melnick of the American Immigration Council acknowledged the prior administration achieved results late in its term, including a significant drop in apprehensions, but warned that aggressive interior enforcement by the current administration risks detaining longtime residents, veterans and people with no criminal record. Melnick told the committee the legal and policy decisions around parole, temporary protected status and mass removals require careful review to protect due process and community stability.

Members asked witnesses whether individuals with final orders of removal should be enforced; answers varied. Reese and other witnesses answered yes when asked about enforcing final orders; Melnick said enforcement decisions depend on individual circumstances and cited that many in-absentia orders are later overturned.","Policy witnesses at the subcommittee hearing offered competing explanations for large migration flows: one expert blamed expanded parole, NGO-funded wraparound services and asylum processing changes; another described legality and humanitarian considerations and warned against sweeping deportations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6275203,"Border Patrol witnesses describe operational strain, deaths and morale problems at Southwest border",59,2961000,3020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8&start=2961&end=3020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8/thumbnail_2961000.jpg","/articles/6275203/Border-Patrol-witnesses-describe-operational-strain-deaths-and-morale-problems-at-Southwest-border","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275203-99f078798a69c22cd4e03e4856742e1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149837&Signature=On5Z8V2TXtNpv~3GEyJ8TJpHjFzhBsIDGMqn7eBKcpRLclt02mEo3auPRjA~dgrTBHGUuKEcFAs5Z0puvT026e4LeE8IEvmoxtCeXIrfFpf59DmJltpqJBX4eOrBt2OpSItw56KPhb1S~YC38~VzJTHBfQ4e~fh1J-JfdY7e8elM4xd3AOgcpMihlyQUl0h-Cuhq79T-nH6BCn6cuWhnGqsJejxIaC5hBbTL9LKmgBdru~0EsVI2D6b0MTiBVKJtPiwseFvSkzKNFd8YLknPDKvbtF0SJ~z8qVusZUoapT1OQZD33KGhGjwQo8YMvIAHUrO18gB-O3aDdtDBUNcmQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","National Border Patrol Council leaders and former Border Patrol agents told the subcommittee that sustained large migration flows and policy changes shifted agents away from traditional law enforcement duties and created serious operational and human-cost consequences.

John Anfison, executive vice president of the National Border Patrol Council and former Border Patrol agent, said the agency’s work “shifted from that of law enforcement, to that of processing asylum claims,” adding that “we weren't there to do it” when people later were arrested for crimes. Anfison, who has served in the Del Rio sector, described specific drownings and rescue efforts, saying agents repeatedly relived traumatic incidents during internal reviews.

Aman Blair, a former Border Patrol agent and senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, described cartel influence and called the situation “a full spectrum national security failure,” asserting that the security environment could no longer be understood through a criminality-only framework. Blair said cartel activity and economic capture in parts of Mexico and rural Texas have produced “hybrid threats” that resemble coordinated corruption and territorial control.

Witnesses cited operational limits: Anfison told the subcommittee that the agency has about 19,500 Border Patrol agents and that “20,500 of them could retire today” (testimony noted many additional agents will become eligible to retire soon). He also said more than 50% of the vehicle fleet is retirement-eligible and that it can take an average of 403 days to order and receive a replacement vehicle. The union witness also described that FY2022 was the deadliest year recorded during the period he cited, and that agency employee suicides rose: “Since FY 2015, CBP has had a hundred and 1 employee suicides,” with a 50% increase in 2022 compared to a seven-year average.

Members pressed witnesses on morale and staffing across sectors, mandatory overtime and the need for targeted recruitment and retention measures. Several members and witnesses urged Congress to address pay, staffing levels and vehicle and equipment procurement to restore capacity.","Union and former Border Patrol officials testified that recent years strained field operations, citing large migrant surges, increased employee suicides, resource shortfalls and challenges retaining and training agents.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6275207,"House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing exposes sharp partisan split over border policy",6372,828000,7200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8&start=828&end=7200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776270-bba0fe2f7c9c20f2c272c803a7080ec8/thumbnail_828000.jpg","/articles/6275207/House-Homeland-Security-subcommittee-hearing-exposes-sharp-partisan-split-over-border-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6275207-6a2a7013520e01248860011b9efb5f2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149837&Signature=AaCjG2c9S0MwRnjFgnxefrUt2sgm6ZmFzmSXhrGH4MHLEkjUngYTl6lCIYg7LwBm2tvIOEffDnU4i9CXp-h-hT2LWZCS4BrF8bIQbJLborqQbthHs5xbYWEzNCitrNQqU40D5n~B9Ed2A5AcDf7ge0Tt~ZNAtiV4~maPdPO0hrhOQrKh7pJ7ph3yDMBkf-Ir6Ca4RjQP8V15SlG4m-ShHQBfLbsNc~cogcreAgqH6LEqa5wtLYwPXakF89cjg5Meq0EKemubqg-vAarV6m-4EG-w7Vk4DyKV4wHIYd3xochLzBAxY1c3mDSBzIBIWW9yItG1NwFtqAjquDLvoOtmAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement met for a hearing to examine the policies that members said contributed to the recent increase in migration and to discuss potential legislative responses.

Chairman Guest opened the hearing by saying its purpose was “to examine the actions that gave rise to the historic border crisis we witnessed over the last 4 years” and to explore “potential legislative solutions.” Representative Correa, the subcommittee's top Democrat, said: “Border security, in my opinion, is not just border security. It's national security,” and urged oversight of the current administration’s enforcement choices.

The hearing featured sharply divergent accounts of the last four years. Republican members and witnesses argued that the Biden-Harris administration’s choices — including broader use of parole, changes to asylum and a pause on certain deterrent measures — produced a “historic” crisis that overwhelmed local communities and law enforcement. Laura Reese, director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation, testified that the prior administration’s policies “gave aliens coming illegally here the 5 things that they want,” listing entry, the ability to remain, work authorization, remittances and family reunification as drivers of migration.

Democratic members and witnesses raised concerns about the Trump administration’s enforcement tactics and their effects on residents and legal immigrants. Representative Thompson and witness Aaron Reichlin Melnick of the American Immigration Council warned that aggressive interior enforcement and reassignments of specialized agents to immigration arrests can divert resources from investigations into child exploitation, drug trafficking and other crimes.

Members pressed witnesses on specific costs and effects, including the treatment of unaccompanied children, large-scale use of parole programs, the use of Guantanamo Bay to hold migrants, and reports that federal law enforcement personnel were reassigned from other priorities to immigration enforcement. The session included testimony from current and former Border Patrol agents and union leaders describing operational strain and personal costs, and from policy experts offering contrasting explanations for the causes and remedies.

The hearing concluded without formal votes; members said they intended to continue oversight and follow-up work.","A House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing brought Republicans' criticism of the Biden-Harris era policies into direct contrast with Democratic concerns about due process and enforcement priorities under the Trump administration, as witnesses and members debated causes, consequences and possible fixes for recent migration flows.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legal and civil-rights concerns raised as witnesses describe aggressive interior enforcement and novel detention uses

Experts debate parole, NGO contracts and missing unaccompanied children during immigration hearing

Border Patrol witnesses describe operational strain, deaths and morale problems at Southwest border

House Homeland Security subcommittee hearing exposes sharp partisan split over border policy