Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Demands Accountability for DHS Actions During Government Shutdown

As the ongoing government shutdown continues, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is speaking out against the Department of Homeland Security's actions, including the furlough of its detention oversight personnel and reports of mistreatment of journalists covering immigration enforcement operations. In two letters to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Krishnamoorthi condemned DHS's decision to furlough the Office of Detention Oversight, leaving over 60,000 individuals in federal immigration detention centers without independent inspection or accountability.

Key Takeaways:

• The Office of Detention Oversight (ODO) has been entirely furloughed, leaving over 60,000 individuals in federal immigration detention centers without independent inspection or accountability.
• DHS has continued nearly all enforcement operations and retained roughly 92 percent of its workforce, while the ODO was furloughed.
• The furlough of ODO occurred even as DHS's press and communications staff remain fully operational, raising serious questions about the Department's priorities during the shutdown.
• Krishnamoorthi raised grave concerns over the treatment of journalists during recent immigration enforcement actions in the Chicago area, including reports of pepper balls, tear gas, and arrests while reporting.
• Multiple incidents have been documented, including the alleged striking of a CBS Chicago reporter's vehicle by a pepper-ball round outside the Broadview facility, dispersing chemical agents into the cabin.
• Federal agents used tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets against journalists who were complying with police instructions, raising serious constitutional concerns and demands accountability from DHS leadership.

Statistics:

• Over 60,000 individuals are in federal immigration detention centers without independent inspection or accountability.
• DHS retained roughly 92 percent of its workforce during the shutdown.
• Multiple incidents of journalist mistreatment have been documented, including:

+ 5 incidents of journalists being shot with pepper balls

+ 2 incidents of journalists being exposed to tear gas

+ 1 incident of a journalist being arrested while reporting

+ 1 incident of a journalist's vehicle being allegedly struck by a pepper-ball round

Sources:

• Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi's office
• Government shutdown news release
• Homeland Security Department
• Chicago Headline Club v. Noem