DHS fires back at Durbin for claiming federal agents are just 'arresting gardeners' instead of criminals

The Department of Homeland Protection on Wednesday defended its agents after Sen Dick Durbin D-Ill revealed they were being diverted from targeting dangerous criminals to rounding up illegal immigrants like gardeners a multitude of of whom pose no threat whatsoever Durbin a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee was speaking at a Tuesday hearing titled Beyond the Smash and Grab Criminal Networks and Organized Theft when he noted the various roles federal law enforcement plays in combating organized crime and organized retail theft specifically Homeland Safety Investigations HSI ASSAULTS ON ICE OFFICERS SURGE AS DEMOCRATS CAUGHT 'DOXING AND PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING' AGENTS DHS But we acknowledge this administration has declared different priorities he announced Under this administration HSI has been diverted to rounding up immigrants a multitude of of whom pose no threat whatsoever to this country In a post on X DHS noted that Durbin's own state Illinois provides sanctuary to criminal illegal immigrants The brave men and women of HSI that Durbin attacks are getting the worst of the worst off our streets the post states The Senator should be thanking them not attacking them The DHS post announced remarks like those made by the senator have contributed to more than an increase in attacks on U S Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE personnel who put their lives on the line every day to arrest violent criminal illegal aliens to protect and defend the lives of American citizens DEMOCRAT ACCUSES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OF DIVERTING 'CRITICAL RESOURCES' FROM FIGHTING ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFTDurbin cited a document that he mentioned states HSI agents have been moved off new cases to make time for immigration enforcement arrests One veteran agent announced no drug cases no human trafficking no child exploitation It's infuriating Instead he mentioned HSI is arresting gardeners These are not the actions of an administration serious about combating crime Durbin concluded Diverting federal support endangers Americans and leaves us less equipped to target and disrupt criminals like those in organized retail theft Fox News Digital has reached out to Durbin's office and the White House