Rep. Hernández Reads Questions for DHS Secretary Noem After Early Departure

Unasked Questions for Secretary Noem

• ❓ Delegate Pablo Hernández expressed disappointment that Secretary Noem left a House Homeland Security Committee hearing early, preventing him from asking crucial questions.
• 💡 Hernández intended to question DHS policies regarding immigration enforcement and the detention of individuals legally present in the U.S., citing specific cases in Puerto Rico.

Immigration Enforcement Concerns

• 💔 A case involving ICE detaining a pregnant woman and another of CBP detaining a domestic violence victim with a legal work permit were highlighted as examples of the pain caused by DHS immigration enforcement.
• ⚖️ Hernández sought clarification on whether CBP agents have the authority to detain individuals legally in the U.S. and the legal basis for detaining and denying attorney contact to a specific individual.

TSA and FEMA Funding Policies

• ✈️ Concerns were raised about TSA agents in Puerto Rico and the perceived negative impact of a selective $10,000 bonus announcement on morale.
• 💰 A new secret policy requiring Secretary Noem's approval for FEMA grants exceeding $100,000 was criticized for lacking transparency and delaying aid for Puerto Rico's reconstruction.
• 🤝 Hernández emphasized that reconstruction aid should be bipartisan and that the new policy has worsened bureaucratic delays.