Welch Condemns DHS’ Violent Mass Deportation Policy on Senate Floor

Feb 13, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.),a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke on the Senate floor to condemn the escalating chaos and violence from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers under President Trump and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership. In his remarks, Senator Welch recounted stories of people who have faced ICE’s violence and brutality firsthand and called for Congress to candidly assess the impact of the Trump Administration’s violent mass deportation policy.
“Homeland Security got $75 billion from Congress—not from votes on our side—but it was really what allowed for this mass round-up of people from workplaces, from farms, from schools. All in service of a political agenda that isnotabout protecting Americans but is serving the political interests of the president and the fiendish design of Stephen Miller with the implementation of a reckless Kristi Noem,”said Senator Welch.
Watch Senator Welch’s full remarksbelowand read his full remarks as deliveredhere.
Senator Welch has been an outspoken voice opposing Secretary Noem’s leadership of the Department of Homeland Security. The Senator called for Noem’s resignation in July, citing her mishandling of FEMA and handling of President Trump’s cruel and illegal mass deportation campaign. Earlier this month, Senator Welch led his colleagues indemanding Noem resignas Secretary, and has said she should be fired or impeached by Congress if she refuses.
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