WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem during a House Appropriations Committee Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing. For full clips and excerpts of the hearing, please see below.
Congressman Gonzales’ Questioning on How Many Criminal Illegal Aliens are in the U.S.
Congressman Gonzales: “Last year, I submitted a letter to the ICE Director asking him how many convicted criminal illegal aliens were in our country, and this is what I got back. Your letter requested the number of noncitizens on ICE's docket convicted or charged with a crime. As of July 21, 2024, there were 662,566 noncitizens with criminal histories on ICE's national docket. That was nearly a year ago. Do you by chance have any updated numbers on how many convicted criminal aliens we still have loose in the country?”
DHS Secretary Noem: “We believe we have more than that and are continuing to do an assessment. And of course, every day we continue to see crimes in this country that are perpetuated by individuals that we didn't necessarily know that we are here. What I will tell you is, is that the President, under his leadership, has already arrested and is prosecuting and held accountable over 250 known terrorists, people who are on the known terrorist watch list. We have over 65,000 individuals that just ICE alone has arrested that are criminal aliens, that are being held accountable for their crimes in their communities. We also talk extensively about direct different governors that we've been able to work with. Many of them have people within their facilities that have committed crimes that they've been arrested and they're holding and detaining them. If they are illegals, many times they're facing their consequences in their jail and prison time before they can be returned to their country. So, you know, these. By virtue of being in this country illegally, you are breaking the law and you are a criminal. And we've seen the previous administration pervert and manipulate their data and information to give us numbers that don't necessarily square with what the facts are on the ground. So there's many, many more criminals in this country, and we're going to continue to target and go after them to make sure that we're protecting families.”
Congressman Gonzales’ Questioning Reimbursing States for Border Security Costs
Congressman Gonzales: “I want to get your opinion on states being reimbursed for some of the funding, particularly Texas. What are your thoughts on Texas being reimbursed for some of the funding that we've had to pay for this?”
DHS Secretary Noem: “It's been incredible the partnership that Texas has put together with the federal government and how they stepped up so many times when the Biden administration did not secure our border, Texas filled the gap. When I was governor, I deployed my National Guard there to facilitate and help as well as did other governors in the country and did what we could to get by until we had a new president that truly cared about keeping America safe. There have not been any decisions on reimbursing states, but I know many of the governors have asked for it, and we've appreciated their help. And so that's an ongoing conversation with every…new agreement or new ask we have of states, if we're asking them to commit to the 287(g) program. Seeing what we can do to help meet their financial needs is incredibly important. If it's asking the National Guard to step up or even past spending that they've incurred. I know that President Trump is appreciative of the efforts and the partnerships and wants to continue those conversations.”
Click here for Congressman Gonzales’ first round of questions.
Click here for Congressman Gonzales’ second round of questions.
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