Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is facing criticism from some members of President Donald Trump's base following recent remarks regarding immigration and customs enforcement.
Mullin's comments, made over the weekend at the National Governors Association Summer Meeting, addressed the need for increased employment visas in sectors like agriculture to support economic growth. He acknowledged that while concerns exist about these visas taking jobs from American workers, they are not universally applicable.
"Because this narrative that it steals American jobs is true in some industries, it's not true for all industries," Mullin stated during a discussion. "We want to take care of Americans first. It’s our economy, it’s our homeland, but there's a way to utilize labor where we're not having the participation rate we need to, and we can plug those holes."
The remarks drew sharp reactions on social media. Greg Bovino, former commander at large for Border Patrol, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that Mullin "delivered a masterclass in how to give terrible answers." Commentator Tomi Lahren also posted on X, stating Mullin's work visa comments were "not what we voted for."
Mullin later sought to clarify his stance, posting on X, "NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever. We are a nation of laws. If you are illegally present in the United States of America -- you will be detained and deported. Period."
Further criticism arose from Mullin's comments about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, a deportation tactic used during the Trump administration. Mullin indicated that the department's focus is not on large-scale job site raids or sweeps, but rather on apprehending the "worst of the worst."
"ICE isn't doing any raids. We're not kicking the door. We're not doing traffic stops," Mullin said. "We're simply grabbing those individuals when they leave. Because here's the other alternative: the other alternative is the release into your state." He emphasized this approach aims to provide "safety for our streets" and urged governors to collaborate with DHS on deportation efforts.
These comments also met with opposition from figures aligned with Trump's base. Steve Bannon, a former political strategist for Trump, told Politico that Mullin is "the wrong guy at the wrong time for the wrong job -- a time when we need focus on 'mass deportations,' we get an amnesty advocate." Mike Howell, head of the Trump-aligned Oversight Project, which advocates for mass deportations, stated, "The base wants commas in the deportation numbers, not drama. This weekend was drama."
The Department of Homeland Security responded to the pushback, asserting that Secretary Mullin collaborates closely with advisors to fulfill the mandate of removing criminal illegal aliens. A DHS statement affirmed, "Secretary Mullin has been clear: if you come to the United States illegally, you will be detained and deported. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are enforcing the law and making America safe again." Mullin also contrasted his approach with that of his predecessor, suggesting a more collaborative method with governors to achieve deportation goals, implying that effective collaboration would reduce the visible presence of ICE in states.