Veterans, Deportation, and the Heated Exchange in Congress

House Democrats had a lot of questions for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a recent hearing on global threats. One of the main topics was the treatment of veterans and military families under current immigration policies. Rep. Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island brought up the case of Sae Joon Park, a U. S. Army veteran and green card holder who was given a removal order. Park had some old drug charges and missed a court date over 15 years ago. Magaziner argued that deporting veterans and their families is not what most Americans expect when they hear about targeting violent criminals. Noem defended her department, saying they are just following the laws as they are written. She suggested that if people don't like the results, they should change the laws instead of blaming her department. The hearing got pretty heated. Rep. Bennie Thompson from Mississippi even called for Noem to resign. He accused her of misusing homeland security funds and living in a military home meant for top Coast Guard leaders. Thompson also questioned Noem about an Afghan national who was granted asylum and later accused of shooting two National Guard members. Noem left the hearing early, claiming she had another meeting. But Thompson said that meeting was actually canceled, and Noem was just avoiding further questions. Republicans blocked a motion to subpoena Noem, but the tension between Democrats and the DHS secretary was clear.