DHS says four House Democrats ‘chose to stand with criminal illegal aliens’ after visiting ICE detainee
In a recent incident that has sparked significant controversy, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused four House Democrats of meeting with a Honduran national, Dennis Mauricio Rojas-Molina, at an ICE detention facility in San Diego. This meeting has drawn sharp criticism from DHS, which claims that the lawmakers chose to align themselves with a “criminal illegal alien” rather than prioritize the safety of American citizens. Rojas-Molina has been charged with kidnapping and domestic abuse, and his history includes a previous deportation from the U.S. in 2015 after illegally reentering the country. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the lawmakers, labeling them as “sanctuary politicians” who undermine the efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove dangerous offenders from the U.S.
The visit by Representatives Juan Vargas, Mike Levin, Sara Jacobs, and Scott Peters was framed as an oversight initiative aimed at ensuring that detainees are afforded their legal rights. However, Peters’ office clarified that the lawmakers did not specifically request to meet with Rojas-Molina; rather, they asked to speak with “any detainee” present during their visit. This distinction has led to a heated exchange between DHS and the Democratic lawmakers, with Peters’ office asserting that DHS has not provided evidence of Rojas-Molina’s alleged crimes. In a broader context, this incident reflects the ongoing national debate over immigration policy and the treatment of undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. Levin, during a press conference following the visit, emphasized the need for a path to legal status for individuals like Rojas-Molina, highlighting their potential contributions to the economy and community.
DHS countered the Democrats’ narrative by asserting that the majority of illegal immigrants arrested by ICE have criminal convictions or pending charges, including serious offenses such as murder and sexual assault. The department’s statistics indicate that 70% of those apprehended fall into this category, contradicting claims made by some lawmakers that ICE is not focusing on serious offenders. This contentious exchange underscores the deep divisions in U.S. immigration policy, with Democrats advocating for more humane treatment of immigrants and Republicans emphasizing the need for strict enforcement against criminal activities. As the debate continues, this incident serves as a microcosm of the larger discussions surrounding immigration reform, law enforcement priorities, and the balance between protecting public safety and ensuring due process for all individuals within the U.S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzZKsPb8lTU
The
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) on Tuesday accused several House Democrats of meeting with a criminal illegal immigrant at an ICE detention facility, calling the visit a move in which they “chose to stand with criminal illegal aliens over American citizens.”
According to the department, four House Democrats — Reps. Juan Vargas, Mike Levin, Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters — visited the ICE San Diego Field Office on Monday and requested to speak with the Honduran national, who has been accused of kidnapping and abusing his spouse.
“Democrats once again chose to stand with a criminal illegal alien over American citizens,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This criminal illegal alien these Democrat lawmakers met with has been charged with kidnapping and domestic abuse.”
Peters’ office told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the lawmakers did not specifically request to speak with that detainee. The members reportedly asked to speak with “any detainee” during their oversight visit and were brought Rojas-Molina. The office added that DHS did not present any evidence that the detainee was convicted of such crimes.
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“The members asked weeks ago to conduct an oversight visit, ensuring that due process is followed and everyone is being afforded their legal rights,” Communications Director Lena Jacobson said. “They were finally allowed to do so yesterday. They did not ask to speak with Mr. Rojas-Molina. There were three detainees present. The members asked to speak with any detainee. This is the person who ICE presented to them. DHS has not provided any evidence to Rep. Peters’ office to show Mr. Rojas-Molina was convicted of the crimes they allege he committed.”
McLaughlin described the representatives as “sanctuary politicians” who “continue to smear” efforts made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove offenders from the country.
“These sanctuary politicians continue to smear law enforcement and falsely claim ICE is not targeting the worst of the worst. It’s disgusting that these sanctuary politicians continue to do the bidding of criminal illegal aliens.”
Dennis Mauricio Rojas-Molina, who
was deported
from the U.S. a decade ago, was arrested in May on charges of kidnapping and spousal battery.
In the summer of 2015, during the Obama administration, Rojas-Molina was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol near Lukeville, Arizona, but was later released into the country. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal several months after his arrest, and he was deported Oct. 14, 2015. He subsequently reentered the United States illegally at an unknown date and time.
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In a video posted to Rep. Mike Levin’s X account on Monday featuring all
four lawmakers
at a news conference, Levin confirmed they had visited a detainee who was recently arrested, though he did not name the individual. He noted that the man has two children — ages 11 and 5.
“Folks like him need a path to stay,” Levin said of the detainees the representatives visited. “They need a path to legal status so that they can continue to work hard and contribute positively to our economy. … We need to treat them better than this.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Reps. Juan Vargas, Mike Levin and Sara Jacobs for more information.
DHS added that ICE continues to arrest the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants despite Democrats’ claims that the department is not prioritizing offenders, citing
Rep. Sara Jacobs
’ post on X Monday stating, “ICE isn’t going after criminals; they’re targeting your neighbors and friends.”
“Seventy percent of the illegal aliens arrested by ICE have criminal convictions or pending charges in the United States,” DHS said, adding that the department continues to focus its enforcement efforts on murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, terrorists and other dangerous individuals.
The department also emphasized that the figure does not reflect those wanted for crimes in other countries, those with Interpol notices or those facing human rights-related violations.
