Indian American Impact joins call for Noem’s congressional probe

Indian American Impact joined 77 other civil rights, interfaith, and immigrant advocacy groups in formally urging Congress to launch an immediate investigation into Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for alleged violation of constitutional rights.

In a July 3 letter addressed to congressional leaders and committee chairs, the groups outlined a series of alarming incidents under Noem’s leadership. These include unlawful immigration raids targeting U.S. citizens—including pregnant women—the shackling of a foster child in ICE custody, and the abrupt shutdown of the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

“DHS, under Kristi Noem, has violated constitutional rights, misused force, and ignored court orders. This is a crisis. Not leadership. Congress must investigate DHS Sec. Kristi Noem and hold her accountable,” Indian American Impact posted on X.

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The letter warned that DHS actions under Noem have “eroded fundamental rights” and “compromised the safety of our communities,” urging lawmakers to determine whether her decisions have violated the Constitution or endangered U.S. citizens.

Noem’s “missteps thus far exhibit a pattern of incompetence, disregard for constitutional protections, and conduct placing U.S. citizens and lawful residents in direct danger,” the groups alleged. “Under her stewardship, the actions of her department are eroding fundamental rights.”

“Noem’s apparent failure to exercise sound judgment and basic discretion has empowered ICE agents to act in ways that undermine constitutional protections and human dignity,” they wrote. “Instead of balancing national security with civil liberties, her leadership seems to have encouraged a reckless approach that disregards due process and common sense.” 

“Such mismanagement not only compromises the safety of our communities, but also betrays the core values upon which this nation stands,” they wrote.

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Examples of alleged rights violations under Noem’s leadership cited by the groups include: 

Restricting congressional oversight of ICE Facilities; Use of force against U.S. Senator Alex Padilla; Unlawful ICE raids impacting U.S. citizens; Deprivation of due process to unlawfully deported Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia — a Maryland resident and father, legally present in the U.S. under a court-granted withholding of removal order; Rounding up of foster care children now put in detention endangering the safety, privacy, and welfare of children and caretakers in the foster care system; Unlawful detention of tribal citizens; Dismantling DHS Civil Rights Oversight.

On March 21, Noem shut down the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, terminating hundreds of active civil rights and liberties investigations, the group wrote noting, “The move left victims of detention abuse—U.S. citizens and immigrants alike—without any federal recourse.”