DHS HEARING: Harder Calls on Senate to Reject Any DHS Nominee that Ignores Accountability Reforms
Harder forced the Stockton ICE facility to open its doors to the public for the first time
Following Kristi Noem’s firing, Harder sending key demands to Senate leaders ahead of replacement vote
WASHINGTON – Ahead of an upcoming vote to confirm a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders demanding clear reforms at DHS or stiff consequences, including rejecting nominees. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the current nominee, is appearing before the Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee today for a confirmation hearing.
Weeks ago, Harder forced the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Stockton to open its doors for the first time since recent escalating attacks began. During the oversight investigation, Harder called for former Secretary Kristi Noem’s removal and made several demands for reforms at ICE - Harder is now urging the Senate to condition approval of Sen. Mullin and any replacement for Noem on commitments to clear reforms.
“We’re demanding that ICE adhere to the same rules as any other law enforcement agency - any nominee who can’t commit to that should be rejected,” said Rep. Harder. “Under Kristi Noem, our neighbors were unlawfully detained, demonstrators were brutally attacked, and families were torn apart. This can’t be a reshuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic - we need real accountability from top to bottom.”
Harder’s demands for a replacement DHS Secretary include:
- Clear standards governing ICE enforcement operations.
- Bans on face coverings used by federal immigration agents.
- Visible identification requirements for officers conducting immigration enforcement.
- Reasonable use-of-force policiesfor federal immigration agents.
- Bans on racial profilingincluding stops, questioning, and searches based on an individual’s race and ethnicity.
Following today’s hearing, the U.S. Senate will vote on Sen. Mullin’s nomination in the coming days.
Read the full letter here.
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