Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) voiced his support for a recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Texas that led to the arrest of over 200 undocumented immigrants accused or convicted of sex crimes involving minors. Meanwhile, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) took a harder stance, calling for the death penalty for such offenders.
In a press release on Monday, ICE revealed that 214 individuals were arrested over a six-month period in the Houston area for immigration violations tied to child-related sex offenses. Among them was Jose Guadalupe Meza, a 40-year-old repeat offender from Mexico with four prior deportations, who was arrested on June 24 and deported the following day.
Fetterman acknowledged disagreements with some ICE tactics but said in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“I do fully support moves like these. This makes our nation more secure and all our children safer.”
Luna responded more forcefully, posting:
“Skip deportation. Go directly to the death penalty. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.”
ICE officials, including Houston’s acting field office director Paul McBride, highlighted the agency’s broader efforts to remove violent criminals and gang members, claiming the results mark historic progress.
Fetterman, while backing certain ICE efforts, previously opposed legislation nicknamed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” which proposed major funding increases for ICE and completion of the southern border wall. The bill was heavily supported by former President Trump and Republican lawmakers.
Controversy Surrounding DHS Secretary Kristi Noem
Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing backlash over the federal response to severe July 4 flooding in Texas. Local officials in Kerrville appeared unprepared for the disaster, according to city messages obtained by news outlet KSAT. One text exchange between Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice and a colleague referred to Noem mockingly as “Homeland Barbie.”
Though the nickname has been used online, critics argued the casual tone was inappropriate given the seriousness of the flooding, which caused widespread damage across the Texas Hill Country.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also criticized the administration, claiming FEMA’s staffing was reduced during the emergency. However, he did not directly blame Noem for the disaster. Noem defended the federal response in a Fox News interview, stating that more than 700 FEMA personnel and Coast Guard teams were deployed quickly following conversations with Texas leaders.