Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the committee, began his opening statement by outlining the long road to securing Noem’s testimony, saying “today’s hearing is long overdue.”
“After months of excuses and delays from Secretary Noem, we finally gather together,” Durbin said.
Durbin didn’t mince words about his view of Noem’s handling of the department.
“Madam Secretary, under your leadership, the Homeland Security Department has been devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law,” Durbin said. “Without hesitation or remorse, DHS agents have wreaked havoc on our cities — I’ve seen it in the city of Chicago — and acted with unspeakable cruelty against children, immigrant families and American citizens.”
The Illinois Democrat said “this administration’s reckless immigration enforcement campaign has created fear in communities and eroded the foundational tenets of our democracy.”
Durbin also acknowledged the presence in the hearing room of family members of people who have been deported, along with people whose families have been victims of violence by immigrants.
“From my point of view, we need an orderly process at the border to start with. And secondly, we should never knowingly allow a dangerous person into this country, and if someone is in this country seeking citizenship and commits a crime, a serious crime, they should be asked to leave,” Durbin said. “There’s a way to deal with immigration that is sensible and humane on both sides.”
