Category: United States Director of National Intelligence

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

While politicians like Gov. Walz fight to protect criminal illegal aliens, ICE officers will continue risking their lives to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles  

WASHINGTON – Following Governor Tim Walz’s sickening rhetoric calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is setting the facts straight on the bravery of our ICE enforcement agents. Every day they risk their lives to arrest vicious criminal illegal aliens let into our country by the previous administration.  

“Governor Walz’s comments comparing ICE agents to the Gestapo is sickening. This type of rhetoric and demonization of ICE officers has led to our officers facing a 413% increase in assaults,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “While politicians like Walz fight to protect criminal illegal aliens, our ICE officers will continue putting their lives and safety on the line to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles that were let into our country by the previous administration’s open border policies.” 

Below are just a few examples of violent criminal aliens ICE has arrested in Tim Walz’s Minnesota: 

On May 1, 2025, ICE arrested Abdirashid Elmi, a 50-year-old illegal alien from Somalia. His criminal history includes convictions for murder, driving while intoxicated, and disorderly conduct. 

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On April 24th, ICE announced the arrest of Erick Martinez Mondragon, a 25-year-old illegal alien from Mexico and a member of the 18th Street gang. He served time for robbery and possession of a firearm. 

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On April 25, ICE announced the arrest of Marco Quizhpi Granda, an illegal criminal alien from Ecuador. He was previously convicted for criminal sexual conduct with a child. 

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On January 26, 2025, ICE arrested Octavio Juarez-Bonilla, an illegal alien from Mexico. He previously possessed child pornography on a work computer. 

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On February 19, 2025, ICE arrested Thailand Oh, a 25-year-old illegal alien from Laos. Oh’s criminal history includes convictions for domestic assault and weapons charges. Oh has had a final order of removal since April 5, 2024. 

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On May 9, 2025, ICE arrested Jorge Padilla Mendez, an illegal alien from Ecuador. He was previously arrested for robbery. Padilla was ordered removed by an immigration judge on August 28, 2024. 

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On May 9th, ICE announced the arrest of Abymahel Torres-Arriaga, a 36-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. He has a conviction for selling heroin/meth/fentanyl from the Goodhue County District Court in Red Wing, MN.  

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On May 8th ICE announced the arrest of Edgar David Felipe-Mendez, an illegal alien from Guatemala. He has a previous conviction of conspiracy to sell heroin/meth/fentanyl from the Goodhue County District Court in Red Wing, MN,  

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On April 30, 2025, ICE arrested Blong Yang, His past criminal convictions include carrying a concealed weapon and fourth degree sexual assault. Yang has had a final order of removal since April 19, 2023.  

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

Illegal Aliens, Using the CBP Home App, Chose to Return Home the Right Way 

WASHINGTON – Today, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted avoluntary charter flight from Houston, TX, to Honduras and Colombia, bringing 64 participants who opted to self-deport back to their home countries. This charter flight is one of the first actions the Department has taken to fulfill President Trump’s recent proclamation to create Project Homecoming.  

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This was a voluntary charter flight, not an ICE enforcement operation. All participants were offered the same benefits as any illegal alien who self-deports using the CBP Home App. Theyreceived travel assistance, a $1,000 stipend, and preserved the possibility they could one day return to the United States legally.   

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In Honduras, 38participants were warmly welcomed by their home government and family members. They also benefitedfrom the Honduran government’s “Hermano, Hermana, Vuelve a Casa” program, which includes an additional $100 bonus for people over 18, food vouchers, and assistance in finding employment. 

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In Colombia, 26 participants were welcomed back by their families and representatives of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Migration Colombia. The Colombian government provided social services from the Family Welfare Institute (ICBF), and the Department of Social Prosperity.

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“Today, DHS conducted its first Project Homecoming charter flight of 64 individuals who voluntarily chose to self-deport to their home counties of Honduras and Colombia,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “If you are here illegally, use the CBP Home App to take control of your departure and receive financial support to return home. If you don’t, you will be subjected to fines, arrest, deportation and will never be allowed to return. If you are in this country illegally, self-deport NOW and preserve your opportunity to potentially return the legal, right way.” 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is proud to announce the appointment of Madhu Gottumukkala as its new Deputy Director. In this role, he will help lead CISA’s mission to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the cyber and physical infrastructure that the American people rely on every day. 

Prior to his appointment as the CISA Deputy Director, Dr. Gottumukkala served as Commissioner and Chief Information Officer for South Dakota’s Bureau of Information and Technology, overseeing statewide technology and cybersecurity initiatives. He assumed this role after serving as South Dakota’s second-ever chief technology officer, focused on innovation through the adoption of emerging technologies, while increasing efficiency by replacing outdated legacy systems.

“I am honored to be appointed by Secretary Noem to serve as Deputy Director of CISA. As a former state and local leader, I have seen firsthand the exceptional work CISA does in advancing our nation’s cybersecurity and infrastructure resilience,” said Gottumukkala. “I look forward to building on that foundation by fostering collaboration and strengthening resilience across all levels of government and the private sector. Together, through trusted partnerships, transparency, and shared responsibility, we can better manage systemic risks and safeguard the critical functions that ensure our nation’s safety and prosperity.”

“CISA is excited to welcome Madhu to the team. As we work around the clock to safeguard our nation’s most critical infrastructure, Madhu brings a unique blend of technical expertise and real-world experience that will enhance our mission,” said CISA Senior Official Performing the duties of the Director Bridget Bean. “His deep understanding of both the complexities and practical realities of infrastructure security will strengthen CISA in its role as the nation’s lead cyber defense agency and the national coordinator for infrastructure resilience today and into the future.”

With over 24 years of experience in information technology (IT), Dr. Gottumukkala has held leadership roles spanning both the public and private sectors, including work across the wireless and telecom, unified communications, and health technology industries. He currently serves on the Advisory Committee of the College of Business and Information Systems at Dakota State University.

Dr. Gottumukkala holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems from Dakota State University, an MBA in Engineering and Technology Management from the University of Dallas, an M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Andhra University.

For more information about CISA’s leadership team, please visit the official CISA website at CISA Leadership | CISA

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About CISA 

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security today released the following facts about Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent operations and Customs and Border Protection arrests to set the record straight on misleading news narratives and reporting.

“Even during National Police Week, the media, members of Congress, and sanctuary politicians have demonized ICE and CBP officers who bravely serve their country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Attacks and smears against ICE have resulted in officers facing a 413% increase in assaults. We are setting the facts straight and reassuring America that President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to support ICE and CBP in their efforts to make America safe again.

Debunking the Biggest False News Stories this Week 

Delaney Hall Storming was “oversight” by Congressional members  

• At least three members of Congress, Representatives Robert Menendez, Jr., LaMonica McIver and Bonnie Watson Coleman, claimed that breaking into Delaney Hall was “oversight”—but it is actually trespassing and put ICE officers and detainees at risk.
• Video footage shows McIver assaulting an ICE officer.
• The allegations made by Newark politicians that Delaney Hall does not have the proper permitting are false. ICE maintains valid permits and inspections for plumbing and electricity and fire codes have been cleared.
• Delaney Hall currently confines murderers, rapists, suspected terrorists and gang members.
• There was no need for Congressional members to storm Delaney Hall—they could have just scheduled a tour. ICE will comply with the law and accommodate Members of Congress seeking to tour an ICE detention facility for the purpose of conducting oversight.
• Safety, security, and good order are always primary considerations in a detention facility, and visitors must be properly identified and attired. 

Nashville Mayor Smears ICE Enforcement  

• Mayor Freddie O’Connell and biased news media framed ICE operations in Nashville as “not focused on making us safer.”
• In reality, of the 196 illegal aliens ICE arrested, 95 had prior criminal convictions and pending criminal charges and 31 were previously removed individuals who reentered the U.S. illegally, which is a felony offense under federal law.
• The successful operation resulted in the arrests of an MS-13 affiliate, a murderer, sex offenders, and illegal aliens convicted of assault. 

ICE’s Hawaii Operation focused on “coffee farmers” 

• Completely leaving out the facts and rap sheets of criminals arrested, the New York Times peddled a misleading narrative about ICE’s operation in Hawaii targeted criminal illegal aliens.
• The operation resulted in the arrest of illegal aliens charged with kidnapping, assault, firearms offenses, drug offenses and theft. 

 Yamal Said, Lord Buffalo drummer, detained by border officials at airport

• Yamal Said is a Mexican national and lawful U.S. permanent resident.
• Yamal Said had a warrant for his arrest after violating a restraining order at least TWICE.
• When he was attempting to leave the U.S., he was apprehended by CBP and has been turned over to local law enforcement.
• If you come to our country and break our laws, you will be arrested. 

Boston ICE agents arrest mother in front of her daughters 

• What the media failed to report is the target of this ICE operation was a violent criminal illegal alien, Ferreira de Oliveira. She was arrested by local police for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery of a pregnant victim.
• District Councilor for the City of Worcester Haxhiaj pulled a political stunt and incited chaos by trying to obstruct law enforcement. ICE officers and local police regained control of the situation and ICE arrested Ferreira de Oliveira.
• The previous administration’s open border policies allowed this criminal to illegally enter our country in August of 2022. Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem this criminal is off our streets.  

Lies for likes: Influencer claims he was targeted for “political beliefs”  

• Claims that Hasan Piker’s political beliefs triggered a CBP inspection are baseless.
• CBP officers follow the law, not agendas. Upon entering the country, this individual was referred for further inspection—a routine, lawful process that occurs daily, and can apply to any traveler.   

Once his inspection was complete, he was promptly released. 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today fact-checked false accusations by media outlets surrounding the United States Coast Guard’s (USCG) planned replacement of a jet that is more than 20 years old. 

“The current CG-101 G550 is over 20 years old, outside of Gulfstream’s service life, and well beyond operational usage hours for a corporate aircraft. This is a matter of safety. Much like the US Coast Guard’s ships that are well beyond their service life and safe operational usage, Coast Guard’s aircraft are, too. The Trump Administration is taking action to restore our Nation’s finest maritime Armed Service to a capable fighting force,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. 

The majority of authorized users for the Long-Range Command and Control Aircraft (LRCCA) program are Coast Guard leadership, including four-star and three-star admirals. 

One of the Service’s two aircraft is 22 years old and faces significant avionics and communications obsolescence issues.   

The maintenance issues of the older jet directly impact its availability for critical missions and hinders the USCG’s ability to provide reliable and secure transportation for Coast Guard leadership. 

The Coast Guard and its leadership—which includes the Secretary of Homeland Security—require world-class, effective command and control capabilities.

• Significant constraints on capabilities and communications in the current aircraft program threaten to limit the Department and USCG’s ability to carry out its critical mission.
• These efforts will ensure secure, reliable communications and meet the demand for continuity of operations and mission-ready command and control capability. 

Presently, the Coast Guard has only two Long-Range Command and Control Aircraft to provide safe and reliable air transportation and communications capability for key leadership within DHS and the Coast Guard.

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security announced that since President Trump took office, the U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard have all reported unprecedented levels of applications and new recruits.

These numbers are a stunning reversal over the past four years, where, under the Biden administration’s all-out assault on law enforcement officers, all three agencies routinely struggled to meet recruiting targets. Now, they are exceeding them.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, our men and women in uniform are respected again and empowered to do their jobs,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Since President Trump took office, more Americans have applied to join the Border Patrol than any time in its history; Secret Service applications have surged 200%; and the US Coast Guard is now on pace to exceed recruitment by 110%. America can be proud of its brave men and women who are making America safe again.”

After being empowered by President Trump and Secretary Noem to finally secure our border, more Americans applied to join the Border Patrol than over any five-month stretch in its history. From January to May 2025, the agency received nearly 35,000 applications, a 44% increase from the same period in 2024.

Over that same period, the Secret Service received over 22,000 applications. This is a 200% increase over the same time frame in 2024, when it received only 7,000 applications. Notably, this surge in interest came after Secretary Noem cancelled all DEI programs and hiring practices at the Secret Service.

Every year under the Biden Administration, the Coast Guard fell short of its recruiting targets. However, since President Trump and Secretary Noem ordered the Coast Guard to triple its presence at our maritime border and focus on interdicting drug and human smuggling in January, that tide has turned. The Coast Guard is now on pace to exceed recruitment by 110%. In fiscal year 2025, the Coast Guard has brought in 4,250 new recruits – 1,200 more than over the same time last year.

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – The Daily Mail published yet another false story Thursday, claiming Secretary Kristi Noem “backed” a reality television show pitch about U.S. citizenship.

In a statement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the Daily Mail’s false reporting and fake narratives.

“This is completely false. Daily Mail’s ‘reporting’ is an affront to journalism. Secretary Noem has not ‘backed’ nor is even aware of the pitch of any scripted or reality show. DHS receives hundreds of television show pitches a year, ranging from documentaries surrounding ICE and CBP border operations to white collar investigations by HIS. Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval. We need to revive patriotism and civic duty in this country, and we’re happy to review out-of-the-box pitches. This pitch has not received approval or rejection by staff.” – Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin 

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

LANCASTER, SC – Local authorities have charged six illegal aliens, between the ages of 13 and 21, with the random murder of a South Carolina mother of two, Larisha Sharell Thompson. They have also been charged with burglary and attempted armed robbery.

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The six illegal aliens allegedly pulled up alongside Thompson, fatally shot her and attempted to enter her vehicle. Not only did these individuals allegedly murder this innocent mother, but they are also accused of attempting to rob a convenience store. 

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Photo: Lancaster Sherriff’s Office

On May 12, local authorities announced the arrests of six illegal aliens from Honduras including Asael Torres-Chirinos, Jarby Ramos-Ardon, Jeyson Salgado-Pineda, and three juveniles, ages 13, 14 and 15, for the murder of Thompson and the convenience store burglary.

Torres-Chino was previously arrested in 2023 for domestic violence.  

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed detainers on all six criminal illegal aliens as they await criminal prosecution in South Carolina. 

Statement Attributable to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: 

“Larisha Sharell Thompson’s life was tragically taken by criminal illegal aliens. She was a mother who was driving to a friend’s house when her life was brutally taken by these criminal aliens who should have never been in our country. President Trump and Secretary Noem will always fight for the victims of illegal alien crime and their families. The safety of American citizens comes first.” 

Secretary Noem relaunched the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office. The VOICE office was shuttered by the previous administration, which left victims of alien crime without access to many key support services and resources. The office was first launched in 2017 by the Trump administration as a dedicated resource for those who have been victimized by crime that has a nexus to immigration. 

If you or a loved one has been impacted by a crime committed by an illegal alien, you are not alone. Call 1-855-48-VOICE (1-855-488-6423). 

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data shows a massive spike in applications to join the United States Secret Service (USSS).

From January 20, 2025, to May 1, 2025, USSS received over 22,000 applications to join its ranks. This is a 200% increase over the same period from 2024, where only 7,000 applied. This surge of applications comes as President Trump and Secretary Noem have put an end to DEI-based hiring practices in the Secret Service and across the Department. Secret Service officers are now being hired and promoted based on their merit.

“For four years, the previous administration demoralized and denied resources to our brave men and women in law enforcement, including in the Secret Service,” said a DHS spokesperson. “We are reinvigorating the Secret Service and providing it with the resources our brave and women need to do their jobs. We are seeing a historic surge in applications. Americans want to protect and serve, and we simply must let them.”

These officers are charged with a no-fail mission, and that mission demands only the best of the best.

Further, by putting an end to the distractions imposed upon them by political operatives in the previous administration, we have freed up the Secret Service to once again focus on its core mission of protecting the President.

If you or someone you know is interested in joining the Secret Service, please go to the Careers at Secret Service webpage to apply online.

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Source: US Department of Homeland Security

There was no need for Congressional members to storm Delaney Hall—they could have just scheduled a tour 

WASHINGTON – After members of Congress broke into Delaney Hall and assaulted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the Department of Homeland Security is reminding Congressional offices of ICE’s facility visitation guidelines.

“Members of Congress cannot break the law in the name of ‘oversight.’ Secretary Noem respects congresses oversight authority and is always willing to accommodate Members seeking to visit ICE detention facilities,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “However, they are not above the law. All members and staff need to comply with facility rules, procedures, and instructions from ICE personnel on site for their own safety, the safety of the detainees, and the safety of ICE employees. If these three members had simply asked for a tour, these three congressional members would have been easily allowed into Delaney Hall and would not have had to resort to assaulting law enforcement to enter the facility.” 

Despite these Congressional members storming Delaney Hall and assaulting officers, they were still given a tour of the facility.  

Below are a few highlights of ICE’s guidance – which ensure the safety of all agents, visitors, and inmates: 

• ICE will comply with the law and accommodate Members of Congress seeking to visit/tour an ICE detention facility for the purpose of conducting oversight.
• If Members and/or Congressional staff would like to meet with a specific detainee or set of detainees, please provide names, alien registration numbers, and valid, signed privacy releases with your request. If Members and/or Congressional staff would like to meet with non-specific detainees, a minimum of 48-hours advanced notice is needed for the facility to post sign-up sheets, identify detainees who wish to participate (if any), and execute required privacy waivers.
• Safety, security, and good order are always primary considerations in a detention facility, and visitors must be properly identified and attired.
• All visitors are subject to search upon entering the facility and at any other time during the tour.
• Introduction of contraband or other criminal violations may lead to criminal prosecution of a visitor. 

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Members of Congress and their staff are invited to read the full guidance and schedule a tour of any ICE facility.

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