Rep. Swalwell criticizes ICE agents’ masked tactics as “bank robbers,” sparking a sharp response from the White House.

Congressman’s Remarks Ignite Heated Immigration Debate

Representative Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., sharply criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, likening their use of masks to “bank robbers” and warning that such tactics were terrorizing women in American communities. Swalwell argued that ICE agents should not mask their identities and called for policies to increase transparency in law enforcement operations.

“And these ICE agents running around our communities like masked bank robbers, terrorizing women, they’re going to get themselves hurt — and I hope that doesn’t happen,” Swalwell said at the hearing titled, “An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis.” He further asserted that other law enforcement agencies do not mask themselves and called for ICE to do the same.

Swalwell’s comments come amid reports of individuals impersonating ICE officers, allegedly targeting women, and heightened concern about the agency’s approach. He used his remarks to highlight a recent article alleging that ICE detained a six-year-old leukemia patient and his family, despite their compliance with immigration procedures. According to the story, the family was released following a lawsuit against the administration.

ICE and White House Defend Enforcement Tactics

ICE and White House officials swiftly pushed back against Swalwell’s characterization. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons responded, “You would think a former prosecutor like Rep. Swalwell would understand what ‘bank robbers’ actually do — commit crimes and endanger the public. Sounds like he misspoke and was referring to the criminal illegal aliens that ICE is bravely removing from American communities.”

Border czar Tom Homan defended ICE’s use of masks for agent safety, pointing to a dramatic increase in attacks against ICE personnel. “The attacks on ICE is unprecedented, 700% increased,” Homan said, also highlighting the dangers of doxing agents and their families. Homan, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and White House advisor Stephen Miller were also singled out by Swalwell during the hearing.

The White House issued a forceful statement, rejecting Swalwell’s remarks and defending President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement priorities. “Eric Swalwell is a pathetic excuse for a Member of Congress. He knows how to do two things: lie and have affairs with Chinese spies,” the statement said, further emphasizing that ICE agents were “heroic” for enforcing the law and deserved gratitude, not criticism.

Swalwell challenged his Republican colleagues, questioning their support for aggressive immigration enforcement, particularly in cases involving vulnerable children. “Why aren’t they outraged that this 6-year-old boy was in a condition where children are crying every night and experiencing bone pain as he fights cancer? This issue is pretty simple. Go after the worst and protect the most vulnerable, the ones who are contributing to our community,” he said.

As debate over immigration enforcement continues, the exchange highlights the deep divisions between lawmakers and the executive branch over the best approach to border security and the treatment of immigrants, especially those facing extraordinary personal hardships.