ICE Closes Watchdog Office Investigating Abuse in Detention Centers Amid Surge in Force Use The Trump administration has shut down the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, an independent agency tasked with investigating allegations of abuse and excessive force in immigration detention centers, even as the use of force against detainees has reached record levels. The closure follows a dramatic reduction in staffing, with the office’s workforce slashed to just five people—a 96% cut from its previous size. The decision has drawn criticism from advocacy groups, which argue it reflects a broader strategy to deter immigration by subjecting detainees to harsher conditions. The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, which operated outside the Department of Homeland Security, reviewed complaints about civil rights violations, excessive force, and misconduct by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. An internal email obtained by HuffPost attributed the closure to a lack of funding in the Homeland Security appropriations bill, despite the law requiring the office to remain operational. A DHS spokesperson stated that Congress, not the agency, ended the office’s existence, citing the passage of the appropriations bill without objection and its subsequent signing into law. The office’s public website, which provided guidance for families and attorneys to file complaints, is now offline. An archived version of the site contains outdated information, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. The closure coincides with a sharp rise in the use of force by ICE officers and detention staff.#ice #homeland_security #customs_and_border_protection #washington_office_on_latin_america #huffpost
Republicans Plan to Fund Trump’s Ballroom with Taxpayer Money via Reconciliation Bill Congressional Republicans have advanced a $72 billion reconciliation bill that includes $1 billion in taxpayer funds for security upgrades to former President Donald Trump’s private ballroom, despite repeated assurances from the White House that the project would be privately financed. The funding, which would be allocated through the budget reconciliation process, bypasses the Senate’s 60-vote threshold and is part of a broader effort to address immigration and border security funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The proposal emerged against the backdrop of a recent congressional deal to end a government shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Democrats had initially proposed a funding plan in February that excluded ICE and CBP, which they sought to reform. Republicans ultimately accepted the Democratic framework but pledged to address ICE and CBP separately through the reconciliation process. The ballroom funding, however, appears to be a contentious addition to the package. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, unveiled the bill’s immigration and border security provisions, which include $38 billion for ICE, $26 billion for CBP, and $5 billion for DHS. The $1 billion allocated for the ballroom is explicitly tied to “security adjustments and upgrades,” with restrictions preventing its use for non-security elements. This provision has drawn sharp criticism, as it marks a departure from the White House’s earlier claims that the project would be fully privately funded.#donald_trump #department_of_homeland_security #customs_and_border_protection #immigration_and_customs_enforcement #chuck_grassley
DHS Shutdown Backlogs Threaten Operations and Critical Infrastructure The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is facing severe operational challenges as a result of a two-month government shutdown, with officials warning of mounting backlogs, unpaid bills, and disrupted services across key agencies. The shutdown, which began on February 14, has left critical functions in disarray, affecting the Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday highlighted the financial strain on the service, noting that over 5,000 unpaid utility bills have accumulated, with more than 100 service providers threatening to cut off electricity and water to Coast Guard stations. Additionally, the agency is struggling with a backlog of 18,000 unprocessed Merchant Mariner credentials, a critical issue as the U.S. seeks to rebuild its maritime capabilities. Lunday praised the Trump administration’s decision to use funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill to pay DHS personnel, including Coast Guard civilians, but emphasized that the shutdown continues to jeopardize other operational aspects. CISA Director Nick Andersen described the agency’s limited capacity during the shutdown, stating that only 40% of its staff had been actively working until recently. Despite DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin recalling furloughed staff last week, Andersen noted that CISA remains legally restricted from conducting certain activities, such as outreach to critical infrastructure sectors.#department_of_homeland_security #fifa_world_cup #customs_and_border_protection #coast_guard #cybersecurity_and_infrastructure_security_agency
Senate Unanimously Approves Partial Funding for DHS, Excluding ICE and Border Patrol The U.S. Senate passed a funding measure late Wednesday, approving financial support for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and part of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The decision, reached during an unusual overnight session, aims to restore operations for agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard, though the House must still approve the plan before affected departments can fully resume operations. Negotiations between Senate leaders and lawmakers collapsed earlier in the day, prompting senators to prioritize passing a partial funding agreement by unanimous consent. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, speaking before the vote, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We’re gonna execute on as much as DHS as we can tonight, and then we’ll fund the rest of it later.” The agreement marks a critical step toward resolving a government funding stalemate that has left thousands of DHS workers unpaid, causing widespread travel disruptions and missed flights. The funding impasse has intensified tensions on Capitol Hill, with senators pushing to end the crisis before a scheduled two-week recess. Thune clarified that the Senate’s measure would cover all DHS components except ICE and CBP, though he noted that parts of Customs and Border Protection, such as customs operations, would receive funding. He acknowledged that the House’s response remains uncertain, stating, “I don’t know what the House will do,” but expressed hope that lawmakers would act swiftly to reopen government services.#department_of_homeland_security #customs_and_border_protection #immigration_and_customs_enforcement #us_senate #senate_majority_leader_john_thune
Greg Bovino slams Trump officials in Border Patrol exit Newly retired Trump administration immigration official Greg Bovino criticized leadership during his exit from the Border Patrol, accusing border czar Tom Homan and others of failing to act decisively. Bovino, who previously served as commander-at-large of the Border Patrol, led high-profile immigration raids in Los Angeles and Minneapolis. His tenure came under scrutiny after the deaths of two Minnesotans under his command, which led to his demotion. In a statement to NewsNation, Bovino referenced the killing of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman, whose death was linked to a man charged with entering the U.S. illegally. He condemned the response from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, calling them “weak-kneed” and accusing them of inaction. “The Gorman family is burying their daughter this week, and liberal [CBP] commissioner Rodney Scott and capitulator Tommy Homan say and do nothing, which is how we got in this mess in the first place,” Bovino said. Bovino’s aggressive enforcement tactics, including the use of pepper spray against protesters, drew criticism. In two incidents, “less lethal” weapons left a protester blinded in one eye. The Department of Homeland Security and CBP did not respond to requests for comment. In an interview with The New York Times, Bovino expressed regret over not apprehending more migrants, stating, “I wish I’d caught even more illegal aliens.” He claimed that his team had pushed legal limits to maximize arrests. “We went as hard as we could, but there’s always a creative and innovative solution to catching even more,” he said. Bovino also made disparaging remarks about immigrants, calling them “filth” and “trash” during a speech in New Orleans.#greg_bovino #loyola_university #tom_homan #rodney_scott #customs_and_border_protection
