Press Releases

“We need answers and accountability for the illegal kidnappings, disappearances and intimidation carried out by Noem and the Trump administration. While not surprising, I’m deeply disturbed that Secretary Noem not only takes no responsibility for these illegal kidnappings, she continues to take pride in them.”

Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) reacts to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) response to her inquiry on Mohsen Mahdawi’s arrest and detention. Last Friday, Rep. Balint’s office received the following response from Secretary Noem: 

“Thank you for your April 16, 2025, letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

“The information requested in your letter is currently the subject of active litigation. Accordingly, DHS declines to comment on such matters.” 

In April, in response to Mr. Mahdawi’s arrest, Rep. Balint and 67 other House Democrats demanded the Administration’s alleged reason for his arrest from Secretaries Rubio and Noem and received no response. On April 30th, Mr. Mahdawi was released on bail following a decision from Judge Geoffrey Crawford. 

“We need answers and accountability for the illegal kidnappings, disappearances and intimidation carried out by Noem and the Trump administration,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “While not surprising, I’m deeply disturbed that Secretary Noem not only takes no responsibility for these illegal kidnappings, she continues to take pride in them. The fear of being ripped off the streets by masked agents when you show up to work or a citizenship appointment does not make our communities safer. I’m relieved that Mr. Mahdawi has been released and was able to graduate college, but his arrest should terrify us all. Under Trump, ICE and DHS have become a means to carry out political arrests and silence those who disagree with his authoritarian agenda. I’ll continue to demand accountability and justice for everyone in this country, including Mahmoud Khalil and others still being held unjustly.”

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