Washington (United States) (AFP) - The heads of US immigration agencies defended Donald Trump's policies before Congress on Tuesday in a sometimes tense hearing with Democrats, who condemned the violence of federal agents.

First modification: 02/11/2026 - 11:31

The role of immigration agents has caused a stir in the country, especially after the death of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis.

Trump acknowledged that a "softer approach" to immigration may need to be taken.

The government later announced some measures, such as the withdrawal of some 700 immigration agency agents deployed in the region.

But the issue remains far from resolved, as Democrats demand changes in the way the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts its raids, while the Trump administration remains steadfast in fulfilling its promise to deport irregular migrants.

Before the Homeland Security Committee of the House of Representatives, those responsible for these three DHS agencies defended the balance of the Trump administration.

The head of the border police (CBP), Rodney Scott, highlighted that the Republican has managed to reduce the entries of irregular migrants into the United States to historic lows.

"CBP spent the last year rebuilding a border that had been intentionally destroyed," he said in a criticism of the immigration policy of Trump's predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden.

"The president tasked us with mass deportations and we are carrying out that mandate," said Todd Lyons, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"Thanks to the resources provided by Congress, we are increasing detention capacity and expulsion flights daily. In the last year alone, we have carried out more than 475,000 expulsions," he added.

"The Government and the agencies represented before us have demonstrated a total disregard for the law and the Constitution," accused Democratic Representative Tim Kennedy.

- Specific raids -

Thousands of federal agents deployed to Minneapolis carried out raids that the administration says are targeted operations against illegal immigrants who also committed other crimes.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday that he hopes the offensive ends soon.

"My expectation (…) is that we are talking about days, not weeks or months, of this occupation," Walz said.

These appearances occur in the midst of an arduous negotiation between Republicans and Democrats for DHS funding, the only pending point in the financing agreement reached between both parties last week that allowed an end to three days of partial closure of the federal government.

"Outlaw behavior"

The Democratic opposition demands broad reforms in the operation of ICE, in particular the end of aerial patrols, the ban on agents hiding their faces and the obligation to obtain a court order before detaining a migrant, to approve the 2026 DHS funding project.

Democrat Dan Goldman criticized the "un-American and simply fascist tactics" that he believes ICE uses.

While Republican legislator Eli Crane in turn accused the opposition of "demonizing ICE."

The White House has expressed its willingness to negotiate, but its proposals do not satisfy the opposition.

"Republicans have shared a draft counterproposal that did not include any details or legislative content," Democratic leaders of the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, and the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said in a statement.

Both leaders protest what they consider an "incomplete and insufficient" response to the "illegal behavior" displayed by ICE agents and say they await more details.

© 2026 AFP

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