Press Releases
Thompson & Rogers Announce Subpoena of 8chan Owner Watkins
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Ranking Member Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) issued a subpoena to Jim Watkins, the owner of the website 8chan, for testimony related to the Committee's ongoing oversight work on countering extremist content on social media platforms. A copy of the subpoena can be found here. Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers released the following joint statement on the subpoena: "Today the Committee on … Continue Reading
August 13, 2019
Thompson Delivers Remarks at Homeland Security Forum on Faith-Based Communities in Jackson Mississippi
(JACKSON, MS) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following prepared remarks for first public meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council's Prevention of Targeted Violence Against Faith-Based Communities Subcommittee in Jackson, Mississippi. This is one part of the Committee on Homeland Security's action plan to redouble efforts to address the domestic terrorism threat. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of … Continue Reading
August 08, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on Mississippi ICE Raid
August 8, 2019 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Trump Administration's ICE raid in Mississippi: "By all measures, this massive ICE raid was a show of force that will have an enormous, long-term impact on communities in Mississippi. Despite the reported time spent in the lead up, ICE seems to have deliberately ignored its own guidelines on minimizing the impact on children and … Continue Reading
August 06, 2019
Chairman Thompson Releases Action Plan to Redouble Efforts to Address Domestic Terrorism Threat
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released an action plan to address the threat of domestic terrorism after additional deadly attacks against innocent Americans this past weekend. After years of inaction, the Committee has held hearings and advanced legislation under Chairman Thompson's leadership to address the very real and persistent threat from domestic terrorism. The Committee will continue its oversight and legislative … Continue Reading
August 05, 2019
Thompson Statement on Trump Speech
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump's address today on the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton: "President Trump's words today are meaningless. We know tragedy after tragedy his words have not led to solid action or any change in rhetoric. We know his vile and racist words have incited violence and attacks on Americans. Now dozens are dead and white supremacist … Continue Reading
August 03, 2019
Thompson Statement on the El Paso Attack
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the mass shooting and attack in El Paso today: "Today, our nation again was confronted with a deadly act of terror and hate. Although our prayers are with the people in El Paso, our thoughts mean nothing if not backed up by action. We must do more stop senseless gun violence. We must do more to counter domestic terrorism and violent extremism. We now … Continue Reading
July 15, 2019
Thompson Statement on Trump Plan to Deny Legal Asylum
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news President Trump filed a new rule to deny asylum to Central American migrants: "Plain and simple, this is the President lashing out in an attempt to keep those seeking safety out of the country. It is xenophobic and it is racist. The President's use of destructive politics will have the real effect of endangering lives. It is unlawful and must be … Continue Reading
July 12, 2019
Thompson NDAA Amendment Passes House to Ban ICE from Using DoD Facilities
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement following House passage of an Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act he sponsored to prohibit any Department of Defense resources from being used to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expand its detention capacity. "We have already seen President Trump defy the will of Congress on border wall funding. When Congress refused to fund his … Continue Reading
July 02, 2019
Thompson Statement on Rio Grande Valley CBP Facility Overcrowding and Prolonged Detention
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) management alert on dangerous overcrowding and prolonged detention of children and adults in the Rio Grande Valley at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities: "This report shows that DHS is not making progress to address the humanitarian crisis at the border that the … Continue Reading
July 01, 2019
Thompson Statement on Secret Border Patrol Facebook Group
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the news of a secret Facebook group in which Border Patrol agents have posted lewd and derogatory content involving migrants and Democratic elected officials: "This Facebook group is beyond sexist and racist - it is truly abhorrent and shameful, and there is no excuse for this depraved behavior. The agents found to be responsible for these vile comments … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Thompson Statement on DHS Leadership Chaos
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the leadership chaos at Trump's Department of Homeland Security: "President Trump's latest leadership change only worsens the chaos at the Department. DHS is charged with keeping the nation secure, but the President is putting its leadership through a constant game of musical chairs to fit his political agenda. DHS needs to be led by qualified leaders - not … Continue Reading
June 25, 2019
Thompson Statement on Acting CBP Commissioner Sanders’ Resignation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news of the resignation of Acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner John Sanders: "The resignation of Acting CBP Commissioner Sanders adds fuel to the chaos at the Department of Homeland Security. CBP is clearly failing to carry out its mission given the Trump Administration's disastrous immigration policies. It is quite clear that bad … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Thompson Statement on Border Detention Conditions and Transfer of Migrant Children
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the numerous news reports detailing squalid migrant detention conditions and the subsequent transfer of hundreds of migrant children from a Border Patrol station: "The conditions described by lawyers, advocates, journalists, and inspectors in which migrant families are being held - including young, vulnerable children - should shock the conscience of the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2019
Thompson Statement on CISA Alert Regarding Iranian Cyber Threats
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news from the Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warning of increased malicious cyber activity from Iran: "This weekend, Director Krebs issued an alert putting critical infrastructure owners and operators on notice that they need to remain vigilant in defending their networks as Iran increases its use … Continue Reading
June 13, 2019
Thompson: After Trump Comments, We Must Pass Election Security Act Now
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the need to pass election security legislation after President Trump welcomed another attack on our elections and democratic institutions. "President Trump's appalling, irresponsible statements that he would again welcome a foreign attack on our elections and democratic institutions mean Congress must act now. The Election Security Act will address the very … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
House Passes Thompson-led Bipartisan Bill to Help Protect Synagogues, Churches, and Mosques From Terrorist Attacks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the House passed bipartisan legislation to ensure necessary Federal support to protect the safety of non-profits at risk of terrorism, including synagogues, mosques, churches, and other places of worship. The bill, H.R. 2476, the Securing American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019, was authored by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security - along with Reps. Peter King (R-NY), Max Rose (D-NY), Steve Stivers (R-OH), … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Thompson Statement on CBP Data Breach
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news of a major privacy breach - resulting from a cyber-attack - at U.S. Customs and Border Protection: "Government use of biometric and personal identifiable information can be valuable tools only if utilized properly. Unfortunately, this is the second major privacy breach at DHS this year. We must ensure we are not expanding the use of biometrics at the … Continue Reading
June 10, 2019
Thompson Statement on Cuccinelli Appointment
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news President Trump has appointed Ken Cuccinelli as acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): "Mr. Cuccinelli is an anti-immigrant fringe figure that has no business leading a component that is supposed to administer our Nation's legal immigration system. Besides being a rightwing commentator, Cuccinelli is completely … Continue Reading
June 06, 2019
Chairman Thompson: DHS OIG Must Restore Confidence in its Work
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General's (DHS OIG) retraction of reports that inaccurately painted FEMA's disaster response efforts in a favorable light. "The Office of the Inspector General is usually a reliable resource in ensuring DHS is performing adequately and using American taxpayer dollars appropriately. But the fact … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Thompson: Continued Humanitarian Crisis at Border Shows Trump Policies Have Failed
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news the humanitarian crisis at the border is worsening. "These numbers are yet another sign that the Trump Administration's border security and immigration policies are abject failures. We have a full-blown humanitarian crisis, which is being exacerbated by the Administration's inhumane treatment of migrants in custody. "Democrats are ready and willing … Continue Reading