Homeland Security’s Bloated ‘Intelligence’ Office Is Costing Taxpayers $348 Million Every Year
The Office of Intelligence and Analysis functions more as a cost center, complicating DHS's role in intelligence rather than enhancing it.The Office of Intelligence and Analysis functions more as a cost center, complicating DHS's role in intelligence rather than enhancing it.Ramming attacks on ICE spike, endangering agents as Democrats continue to spew hateful rhetoric
As Trump's Department of Homeland Security continues its deportation campaign across the country, violence against law enforcement has skyrocketed. On Tuesday, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin joined Fox to discuss the increase in attacks and the resistance the DHS has faced from Democrat politicians.
Fox showed Tricia McLaughlin a montage of Democrat leadership, particularly from Chicago, seemingly advocating resistance against law enforcement.
'It really is a shame that the Democrat Party has decided that violence against law enforcement is OK.'
"We need ICE out of our city," Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson stated, claiming in a separate clip that federal agents had "broken laws" and "acted with impunity."
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, "Don't believe it when they tell you they're busting the worst of the worst gang and gang members. They're attacking peaceful neighborhoods."
Other examples of Democrats using highly charged rhetoric include Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) challenging the Trump administration to a "street fight," Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) comparing ICE to "slave patrols," and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) calling efforts to resist ICE "inspiring."
In response to these speeches, McLaughlin said, "It really is a shame that the Democrat Party has decided that violence against law enforcement is OK. We will continue to do our jobs each and every day and get these violent criminal illegal aliens out of Chicago's streets and out of sanctuary cities all over the country."
"There is going to be no safe haven for violent criminal illegal aliens," she added.
Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin confirmed the meteoric rise in vehicular attacks on federal immigration officers.
On X, Melugin wrote, "There have been 71 vehicular attacks against Customs and Border Patrol since January 20, compared to 45 vehicle assaults during the same period in 2024 — a 58% increase."
The most shocking statistic, however, is the increase in attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers: "There have been 28 vehicular attacks against ICE since January 20, compared to just 2 such incidents in the same period of 2024 — a 1,300% increase."
Asked by Fox News about the mandate to hire 10,000 more ICE employees and the more than 200,000 applications for the positions, McLaughlin quipped, "We are looking for the best of the best to get the worst of the worst off our streets."
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Masked anti-ICE agitators are in for a rude awakening as new DHS policy goes into effect
Federal officers have been met with a range of resistance from protesters, most notably in blue sanctuary cities like Portland and Chicago. Now, however, the Department of Homeland Security has announced the implementation of new rules that should give officers an advantage as they continue to do their already dangerous jobs.
Early this week, the Department of Homeland Security updated its list of prohibited and restricted conduct on federal property, and those wearing face-coverings should take note.
Those rules will be enforced 'on federal property or in areas outside federal property, that affects, threatens, or endangers federal property or persons on the federal property.'
"Wearing a mask, hood, disguise, or device that conceals the identity of the wearer when attempting to avoid detection or identification while violating any federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation" is forbidden, the rules say.
Those rules will be enforced "on federal property or in areas outside federal property, that affects, threatens, or endangers federal property or persons on the federal property," the rules state.
RELATED: 'Unleashed': Houston ICE agents complete another large-scale immigration raid
Investigative journalist Katie Daviscourt reported that this rule change is a "game changer" because it will give federal agents greater jurisdiction in making arrests at and near the federal facility in Portland, where local police previously had jurisdiction.
DHS officers at the Portland facility announced Wednesday that they had begun enforcing the new policy, Daviscourt said, though it was originally supposed to go into effect in January 2026.
Violation of the rules "can be a federal criminal offense punishable by incarceration up to 30 days and a $5,000.00 fine," DHS noted.
The greater latitude granted by this rule change may allow federal officers to operate more efficiently as they work to deport illegal aliens from America.
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Deportations top 2 million under Trump — and most aren't by force
Deportations and border security have been a crucial part of the second Trump administration, and nine months in, the government has started to release some results. Despite seemingly constant obstruction from Democrats, the administration has begun to deliver on its promises of mass deportations.
"The president is all about results, ... and what President Trump, Secretary Noem, and our law enforcement have been able to do in the past 270 days, despite the injunctions, despite the obstruction from sanctuary city politicians and these activist judges, is really nothing short of extraordinary," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a Fox News interview on Monday.
'While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant.'
She went on to report that over 2 million illegal aliens have left the country since the beginning of Trump's term, citing an October 27 press release.
McLaughlin claimed in the press release that the majority of the deportations have been voluntary: "More than 2 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. including 1.6 million who have voluntarily self-deported and over 527,000 deportations."
According to a March 2025 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, there are an estimated 18.6 million illegal aliens in the United States.
"While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant," Ira Mehlman, media director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, told Blaze News.
Mehlman emphasized that illegal aliens are "rational" actors. If the perceived benefits of coming to the United States are unavailable to them because of their illegal status, they will likely leave voluntarily or not immigrate at all.
"If we ... make it difficult to enter, difficult to find employment or access benefits and services, and that there is a reasonable chance that you might be apprehended and removed, illegal aliens will make similarly rational decisions: Many fewer come here illegally, and many of those who are here decide that they should leave on their own," Melhman told Blaze News.
The government is also offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport, according to the press release.
Deterrence and shifting incentive structures for illegal immigrants have been key to turning the tide on the Biden border crisis, but more work needs to be done, as DHS admits.
"This is just the beginning. ... DHS, ICE, and CBP have not just closed the border, but made historic strides to carry out President Trump's promise of arresting and deporting illegal aliens who have invaded our country," the DHS press release continued. "Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now or face the consequence: Migrants are now turning back before they even reach our borders."
"Migration through Panama's Darien Gap is down 99.99%," McLaughlin added, referring to the dangerous route connecting South and Central America that many immigrants use on their way to America.
In the interview, McLaughlin also added that 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will soon be hired to assist with immigration operations.
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Exclusive: Brandon Gill unveils key legislation to accelerate deportations for criminal aliens
Republican Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas is doing his part to ramp up deportation efforts across the country.
Gill introduced landmark legislation on Wednesday that would effectively close loopholes and expand expedited removal authority to cover violent criminal aliens, according to bill text obtained exclusively by Blaze News. The bill also mandates the detention and expedited removal of violent criminals, gang members, and terrorists while also ensuring they are unable to abuse asylum protections.
'Democrat leaders invited them to invade our county en masse.'
The current law primarily limits expedited removal to migrants who recently crossed within 100 miles of the border and within 14 days of entry. Because of existing loopholes and procedures, criminal aliens are often sorted into slower and more standard removal proceedings.
In contrast, Gill's legislation addresses the removal of criminal aliens with urgency.
RELATED: Inside the Portland ICE facility under siege by Antifa extremists
"Our number one priority should be to protect American communities," Gill told Blaze News. "America should never be a safe haven for gang members, terrorists, or violent offenders."
"Yet, Democrat leaders invited them to invade our county en masse," Gill added. "Serious crimes require decisive consequences. My bill backs President Trump's efforts to capture and deport violent illegal aliens quickly at the behest of Americans across the nation who want their families to thrive in a safe society."
RELATED: Federal agents clash with mob of Antifa-fueled, anti-ICE protesters in Portland
Over the course of President Joe Biden's administration, there were over 10 million migrant encounters in the United States, according to Customs and Border Protection.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, migrant encounters have plummeted to historic lows, with illegal crossings across the United States-Mexico border dropping to the lowest levels in over half a century. Gill indicated his legislation would continue this trend and help codify Trump's immigration policy.
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Exclusive: DHS disputes ‘false’ narrative from legacy media — ‘ICE does NOT arrest or deport US citizens’
A New York Times report published on Monday claimed that at least 15 American citizens have been “arrested or detained and questioned” by law enforcement officials as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The Department of Homeland Security rejected the Times’ accusations in a press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News.
The Times claimed that the DHS has “roamed the streets, courthouses and workplaces demanding proof of citizenship from residents,” particularly in Southern California communities.
'Any US citizens arrested are because of obstructing or assaulting law enforcement.'
The DHS rejected the Times’ accusation, emphasizing that its operations are “highly targeted” and do not result in the arrest of U.S. citizens.
“We do our due diligence,” the department explained. “We know who we are targeting ahead of time. If and when we do encounter individuals subject to arrest, our law enforcement is trained to ask a series of well-determined questions to determine status and removability. ICE does not arrest or detain U.S. citizens.”
The Times further reported that Americans had been detained overnight in immigration facilities without access to a lawyer or a phone call.
The DHS stated this was not true, noting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers have higher standards "than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens.”
RELATED: Pam Bondi issues zero-tolerance order on violence against federal officers
“Any claim that there are subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false,” the DHS said.
“All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members,” the DHS continued.
The Times highlighted several cases, including those involving Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, Jason Brian Gavidia, Javier Ramirez, George Retes, and Leonardo Garcia Venegas. The outlet reported that all the individuals were American citizens who were unjustly targeted by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.
According to the news outlet, Laynez-Ambrosio, 18, was riding in his employer’s truck with his co-workers in May when the Florida Highway Patrol pulled them over. After Laynez-Ambrosio and the other vehicle occupants refused to exit the vehicle, troopers forcibly removed them, the Times reported. Laynez-Ambrosio was allegedly held at a nearby Border Patrol facility for roughly six hours, despite repeatedly telling officials he was a U.S. citizen.
The DHS argued that Laynez-Ambrosio, who was in the vehicle with “several adult male illegal aliens from Guatemala,” resisted arrest during the traffic stop. Border Patrol agents, who were responding to a request for assistance from the FHP, arrested the illegal aliens.
Law enforcement officials detained Gavidia, 29, and Ramirez, 32, after conducting an operation at their place of business in East Los Angeles in June. The Times claimed that both were American citizens who were improperly targeted.
“Gavidia was arrested for assaulting a law enforcement officer and interfering with agents performing their duties,” the DHS stated. “Javier Ramirez was detained on the street for investigation for interference and released after being confirmed to be a U.S. citizen with no outstanding warrants.”
RELATED: Pot farm raid update: Trump's DHS found convicted rapists and kidnappers working near migrant kids
The Times reported that law enforcement agents unjustly detained Retes, a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran, in July. During the detainment, officers allegedly broke his windshield and pepper-sprayed him after mistakenly identifying him as an unruly protester. Retes was on his way to work as a security guard for Glass House Farms, a marijuana farm in California. At the time of the incident, the farm was the site of a federal law enforcement operation, which sparked an anti-ICE demonstration.
The DHS claimed that Retes “became violent and refused to comply with law enforcement” while they were executing criminal search warrants at the farm.
“He challenged agents and blocked their route by refusing to move his vehicle out of the road. CBP arrested Retes for assault,” the department said.
The Times reported that authorities wrongfully targeted Venegas while he was working at a construction site. He began recording the officers after witnessing them push his brother, who is an illegal immigrant, to the ground, according to the news outlet. An officer allegedly tackled Venegas and kept him handcuffed for hours.
“During a targeted worksite operation, Garcia Venegas attempted to obstruct and prevent the lawful arrest of an illegal alien,” the DHS wrote. “He physically got in between agents and the subject they were attempting to arrest and refused to comply with numerous verbal commands. Anyone who actively obstructs law enforcement in the performance of their sworn duties, including U.S. citizens, will of course face consequences which include arrest.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “We have said it a million times: ICE does NOT arrest or deport U.S. citizens. Not even a week after the terrorist attack targeting ICE in Dallas, the media is once again shamefully peddling a false narrative, attempting to demonize our DHS law enforcement agents, who are already facing a 1,000% increase in assaults against them.”
“Any U.S. citizens arrested are because of obstructing or assaulting law enforcement,” McLaughlin declared.
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DC Sub Chucker Loses His Lunch, His Cool, And His Sweet DOJ Job In Pitiful Street Tantrum
A month ago, this kind of public disturbance may have gone unaddressed, and it would have emboldened more bad behavior.Exclusive: DHS underground nightclub raid dismantles alleged drug operation tied to illegal aliens
A July raid at an underground night club in Los Angeles, California, led to multiple arrests and the dismantling of a drug and financial scheme, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release exclusively obtained by Blaze News.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection executed a search warrant on July 19 at an El Monte nightclub as part of a drug trafficking investigation.
'Unfortunately, sanctuary politicians in California give cover to criminals to run an underground club filled with drugs and illegal financial schemes.'
Federal agents interrogated and searched 66 individuals, confiscating narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
DHS reported that it also seized thousands of gift cards that had been re-encoded and are suspected to be part of an illegal financial scheme.
ICE arrested eight illegal aliens, including six from China, one from Malaysia, and one from Mexico.
Among those apprehended, Qingmei Wang was charged with felony possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute.
RELATED: Democrat state senator remains committed to alerting illegal aliens of ICE raids in her state
Zedong Zhang faces charges of trafficking or manufacturing controlled substances.
Bo Liu faces charges of possession of an illegal drug substance.
Shao Meng was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses.
Isaias Ramirez-Rosas was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, vandalism, and trespassing.
RELATED: Sanctuary cities on DOJ's list set to reap the whirlwind
All of those arrested are currently awaiting removal proceedings.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the DHS Tricia McLaughlin stated, “In July, ICE and CBP agents worked together with the FBI and DEA to dismantle criminal drug operations in Los Angeles, California, which resulted in the arrest of multiple illegal aliens.”
“Unfortunately, sanctuary politicians in California give cover to criminals to run an underground club filled with drugs and illegal financial schemes. Under President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem, DHS law enforcement is protecting Americans and keeping our communities safe,” McLaughlin said.
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