The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has come under intense scrutiny following a controversial statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. The post, which referred to certain undocumented immigrants as “criminal illegal aliens” and claimed they are “so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back,” has ignited a firestorm of criticism from human rights organizations, lawmakers, and immigrant advocacy groups.
The full post, published early Tuesday, reads: “These criminal illegal aliens are so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back.”
The statement appears to reference a subset of individuals with criminal convictions who have been ordered removed from the United States, but whose deportation has been delayed or denied due to non-cooperation from their countries of origin. However, critics argue the language used is inflammatory, dehumanizing, and potentially incites xenophobia.
Several advocacy organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Human Rights First, have called for the post’s immediate removal and a formal apology from DHS. “Such rhetoric is not only dangerous—it undermines the core values of due process and human dignity,” said ACLU spokesperson Maria Torres.
Lawmakers have also reacted swiftly. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) called the post “unacceptable from a federal agency,” while Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) labeled the language “racist and irresponsible.”
In response to mounting backlash, a DHS spokesperson released a follow-up statement clarifying the agency’s stance:
“The language used in our earlier social media post does not reflect the Department’s commitment to upholding the rule of law with fairness, dignity, and respect. We are reviewing the matter internally.”
The original post remained online as of the time of this release, with the agency stating that decisions regarding its removal are under consideration.