A week into President Donald Trump’s second term, reports surfaced that immigration agents were detaining and questioning Puerto Ricans and other citizens, prompting New York Democratic Representative Adriano Espaillat to demand answers.
He, like many other members of Congress, reached out to the administration seeking clarification, but more than 10 weeks later, he had yet to receive any response. Espaillat’s experience highlights a troubling pattern where lawmakers, primarily Democrats, are met with silence from the Trump administration regarding concerns about citizens being detained or questioned by immigration agents.
Democratic Lawmakers Demand Answers on Immigration Practices Amid Concerns Over Accountability
At least twelve Democratic members of Congress have written to the Trump administration seeking answers about the treatment of their constituents by immigration authorities. The situation has escalated to the point where some have even requested detailed lists of citizens who were detained.
Despite these efforts, no responses have been provided, reinforcing a growing concern among lawmakers. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández from New Mexico expressed her frustration, arguing that the administration’s lack of responsiveness reflects a broader attempt to sideline Congress and undermine its constitutional power to investigate the executive branch.
Trump Administration Stonewalls Congress as Reports Mount of U.S. Citizens Detained by Immigration Agents
In late January, Representative Leger Fernández and other members of Congress raised alarms after receiving complaints from constituents, including tribal citizens in New Mexico, about federal agents pressing them for their immigration status. This raised fears of racial profiling, prompting further demands for action from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Lawmakers worry that the administration’s disregard for oversight reflects a broader disregard for Congress’s authority. Leger Fernández specifically noted that this situation highlights the administration’s refusal to recognize the responsibilities of Congress, which is critical to ensuring proper checks and balances.
Trump Administration’s Unprecedented Dismissal of Congressional Inquiries and Accountability
Norman Ornstein, a congressional expert from the American Enterprise Institute, remarked that while prior administrations had also been unresponsive to lawmakers, Trump’s administration has taken this to a new level, actively dismissing Congress’ inquiries.
He emphasized that the message from the Trump administration seemed to be one of non-compliance, both toward Republicans and Democrats alike. Despite the White House spokesperson’s defense of the administration’s collaboration with Congress, this response failed to address the specific concerns raised in the letters, leaving many questions unanswered.
The silence from the Trump administration is not a new phenomenon, as similar issues were reported during the president’s first term. In 2019, during a House hearing about family separation, lawmakers questioned Border Patrol officials about the detention of a Dallas-born citizen, which had only come to light due to media coverage.
Despite the agency’s own documentation noting the individual’s citizenship, officials denied responsibility and refused to disclose how often such cases occurred. As immigration enforcement practices intensified under Trump, advocates warned that these actions would increase the likelihood of citizens being caught up in the dragnet. However, like previous instances, accountability remains elusive, with immigration agencies providing minimal explanations for their actions.
