Federal employees whose identities remain undisclosed have undermined several deportation operations over the past month by leaking information about these raids to the public. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on Monday that the individuals responsible for the leaks have been identified and will face termination. “I have identified a few leakers,” Noem stated during an interview. “We are still receiving additional information.” She emphasized, “They will be dismissed,” and warned that there will be consequences.
Noem highlighted the serious implications of such leaks, stating, “When they disclose information to the media to sabotage operations, they are endangering the lives of law enforcement personnel and putting their own lives at risk.” She elaborated that her team has been investigating and interviewing anyone who may have had access to the leaked information in their efforts to identify the leakers. They have employed various methods, including polygraph tests and thorough examinations of emails and other electronic communications.
“It is astonishing how these bureaucrats, who seek to obstruct our efforts to ensure the safety of Americans, are willing to betray one another merely to protect themselves,” Noem remarked. “Rest assured, I am doing everything within my power to locate these leakers and eliminate them so that our law enforcement officers and agents can operate safely,” she concluded.
Last month, details regarding planned raids were made public as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prepared for deportation operations, which were set to commence the day after President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. The disclosure of the raid in The Wall Street Journal led to the postponement of an ICE operation that was scheduled in Chicago. Subsequently, deportation operations in Chicago were personally overseen by former ICE chief and border czar Tom Homan.
Another ICE raid targeting at least 100 members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA) took place in Aurora, Colorado, just outside of Denver. However, the gang was made aware of the operation in advance.
Homan and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi have previously indicated that criminal prosecutions may be warranted, notwithstanding Noem’s assurance on Monday to dismiss those responsible for the leaks. According to Homan’s report following the incidents, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a criminal investigation, promising that the individual involved will not only lose their job and pension but also face incarceration. Bondi emphasized, “If you leaked it, we will identify you and pursue action against you,” affirming her commitment to prosecute those implicated.
Lora Ries, Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at the Heritage Foundation, expressed in an interview with The Washington Stand that “individuals who disclosed information regarding ICE raids should face prosecution.” She elaborated, stating, “They are obstructing a federal proceeding in violation of 18 U.S.C. sections 2 and 1505, and they are obstructing justice, which contravenes 18 U.S.C. sec. 1512(c)(2) and (k).” Ries further noted, “Leakers and doxers perceive their actions as low risk with high rewards due to the lack of punishment in recent years.” To deter such behavior, it is essential to establish prominent examples. Merely terminating their employment is inadequate, as leftist organizations are likely to rehire them.
Ries concluded that these individuals should be “publicly arrested, prosecuted, dismissed, have their security clearances revoked, lose any federal retirement benefits, and be barred from future government employment, grants, and contracts.”
