Rep. Pramila Jayapal discusses DHS arrests and public safety concerns

<p>Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., stated on September 15, 2026, that the majority of individuals arrested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this summer posed no threat to public safety. She made these remarks during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing focused on immigration enforcement.</p><p>Jayapal argued that the Trump administration has shifted its immigration enforcement focus towards immigrants without criminal convictions or pending charges, rather than those with criminal records. "For the first time this summer, the majority of people that DHS arrested were people who pose absolutely no threat to public safety, and the number of people with criminal convictions who are arrested by ICE actually decreased — decreased, not increased," Jayapal said.</p><p>She further claimed that the administration's enforcement priorities are making communities less safe, stating, "That’s because when DHS expends all of its energy to go after parents, longtime friends, neighbors, when [Homeland Security Investigations] agents who are supposed to investigate serious crime and human trafficking are instead being moved to street sweeps and riding along with local police for random traffic stops, we are less safe, not more safe."</p><p>Jayapal's comments reflect claims made by her office in a September 1 press release, which indicated that ICE data showed a significant increase in arrests of individuals without criminal charges or convictions, estimating a 770% increase.</p><p>Independent analyses of ICE data have also indicated that while overall ICE arrests reached record highs during the summer, the proportion of those arrested without criminal convictions or pending charges increased. Her remarks come as the Trump administration has highlighted record immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.</p><p>According to DHS, nearly 51,000 illegal immigrants were arrested nationwide in August, marking the highest monthly total on record. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated, "The hard-working men and women of DHS continue to break records as they defend the homeland and protect the American people." He noted that for the third consecutive month, ICE set a new record for the highest number of illegal aliens arrested in a single month.</p><p>DHS also reported arrests of illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes, including murder and sexual assault of a minor. A spokesperson for DHS and Jayapal could not be reached for comment.</p>