Full Breakdown
DHS Reports High Rates of Illegal Immigration from Nicaragua and Other Countries
2/21/2026, 12:56:50 AM
Overview of Immigration Statistics
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported significant levels of illegal immigration from several countries during the Biden administration. According to DHS, approximately 8% of Nicaragua's entire population, along with 7% from Cuba, 6% from Haiti, and 5% from Honduras, entered the United States without authorization between February 2021 and January 2025. This data, shared via social media, has been used by DHS to assert that the U.S. has become "a dumping ground for criminals from the third world."
Context of the Claims
The DHS's claims come amid ongoing debates about immigration enforcement and funding for the agency. The figures presented by DHS have sparked controversy, particularly regarding their implications for U.S. border security and immigration policy. Critics have raised concerns about the accuracy of the data and the manner in which it has been communicated. For instance, DHS recently acknowledged inaccuracies in its online listings of individuals labeled as the "worst of the worst," which included minor offenses alongside serious charges.
Political Reactions and Criticism
Secretary Kristi Noem has been vocal in criticizing the Biden administration's handling of immigration, asserting that the current situation at the border is a direct result of previous policies. She stated, "Thousands of people died [at the border] because Joe Biden and the Democrats decided to cut the fence and allow an invasion to happen." Noem's comments reflect a broader Republican narrative that blames Democrats for the perceived increase in illegal immigration and associated humanitarian crises.
Conversely, Democratic leaders, including Representative Hakeem Jeffries, have called for reforms in immigration enforcement, emphasizing the need for humane and just practices. Jeffries stated that without such reforms, "the DHS funding bill will not move forward," highlighting the contentious negotiations surrounding DHS funding amid a partial government shutdown.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
There are discrepancies in the presentation of immigration data by DHS, with local officials, such as Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell, challenging the accuracy of arrest figures publicized by the agency. Schnell suggested that the figures may misrepresent the actual situation, indicating a potential misunderstanding or miscommunication regarding the state's correctional system.
Official Statements & Responses
DHS has faced scrutiny for its messaging on immigration enforcement, with officials acknowledging that some of the information shared was flawed due to a "glitch." The agency maintains that all individuals listed have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and are in removal proceedings. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Democrats for their role in the ongoing funding impasse, asserting that their actions are politically motivated and detrimental to essential services.
Verbatim Quotes
- “During the Biden era – 8% of the ENTIRE population of Nicaragua illegally entered the US,” — DHS
- “A hundred times more people were dying here at this border because of what they were doing, and they never said a word.” — Kristi Noem
- “should be fair, it should be just, and it should be humane,” — Hakeem Jeffries
This situation continues to evolve as negotiations over DHS funding and immigration policies remain contentious, reflecting deep divisions between political parties on how to address the challenges of illegal immigration.
