Full Breakdown
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Faces Scrutiny in House Oversight Hearing
6/26/2026, 2:36:08 AM
Hearing Overview
On Thursday, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin testified before the House Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers questioned ICE death-reporting, security for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, border-barrier plans, private detention contracts, and procurement tools. The hearing featured sharp exchanges with Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Rep. Veronica Escobar (TX-16).
Official Response
Mullin said DHS reports all deaths that occur while detainees are in ICE custody, but it is not required to track deaths after release, adding “if they die in our release, we report them.” He praised a “great fan experience” at World Cup and noted no serious incidents. Regarding Socorro, Texas warehouses bought for detention, he said the department is “evaluating all 11” sites and that some “probably won’t work.” He announced Department stopped using the DoD procurement tool WEXMAC for detention contracts and described a two-mile physical barrier at Big Bend.
Opposition
Rep. Underwood asked if the ICE death rate “has doubled during President Trump’s second term” and urged full reporting. Rep. DeLauro repeatedly interrupted Mullin, demanding answers on TSA labor protections. Escobar cited a GAO report on Camp East Montana, noting a detainee with a broken arm who received only aspirin, and warned that private contractors have “fallen on deaf ears.” She also flagged the Socorro warehouses’ lack of water and fire-service infrastructure.
Stats
- Underwood’s claim: ICE death rate doubled in the second Trump term (no agency figure).
- 2021 rule required ICE to report deaths within 30 days of release.
- The 2026 World Cup will involve 48 teams, 104 matches across 16 cities and carries a security designation just below a presidential inauguration.
- Big Bend barrier: two miles of fence; the rest will be a smart-fence system.
Gaps
ICE announced it will no longer report deaths of recently released detainees, contradicting Mullin’s claim that all deaths are reported. The GAO report identifies medical neglect at Camp East Montana, yet DHS has not released a corrective plan. No public data confirm Underwood’s doubled-death-rate claim.
Quotes
- “We do report them, ma'am.” — Markwayne Mullin, DHS Secretary
- “Don’t interrupt me!” — Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT
- “I’m factually correct! You voted to shut them down. Republicans voted to open them over, and over and over again—” — Markwayne Mullin, DHS Secretary
- “It was a really great meeting and I so appreciated your openness to hearing me out and hearing out the concerns that I brought to you.” — Rep. Veronica Escobar, TX-16
Impact
The hearing underscores congressional demand for transparency in ICE custodial practices, oversight of detention contracts, and security planning for events. Gaps in death-reporting raise accountability concerns, and border-security decisions affect local communities. DHS will keep evaluating the 11 detention sites, finalize the Big Bend barrier, and submit a revised ICE death-reporting protocol. Lawmakers plan legislation to clarify death reporting and to scrutinize procurement tools for contractors.
