EXCLUSIVE: DHS Accuses NPR of ‘Race-Baiting Smears’ Against ICE Agents

The Department of Homeland Security has accused National Public Radio of “race-baiting smears” against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.  

“Baseless accusations of ‘racial profiling’ by NPR and other outlets are contributing to a 1,000% increase in assaults against ICE law enforcement,” DHS said in a statement Monday evening.  

The response from DHS follows a Monday morning NPR report on the outlet’s “Morning Edition” program, in which a U.S. citizen going by the nickname “Chilo” claims she was “questioned by masked officers” on the streets of Washington, D.C., regarding her citizenship status.  

NPR’s Michel Martin reports that Chilo thinks she was profiled because of her “black hair and brown skin.” Chilo tells Martin the interaction with masked law enforcement frightened her because she “thought they’re going to take me away.”  

Chilo, 53, is from Nicaragua, but was adopted and became a naturalized citizen when she was 9, according to NPR. The woman told NPR she was carrying both her REAL ID and a copy of her passport at the time of the interaction with the agents.  

“It is completely illegal for the federal government to detain a U.S. citizen for immigration purposes and to subject them to deportation,” Marissa Montes, a professor at Loyola Law School and director of the Loyola Immigrant Justice Clinic, said in the NPR report.  

The allegations of “racial profiling,” according to DHS, are “false.”  

“No record or evidence of these anonymously sourced claims exist,” DHS said.  

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said it is “shameful that NPR would run anonymous and unsubstantiated allegations to smear our brave law enforcement as they are facing a more than 1,000% increase in assaults against them.”  

“What makes someone a target of ICE is if they are illegally in the U. S.—NOT their skin color, race, or ethnicity,” McLaughlin said.  

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem “has unleashed ICE to target the worst of the worst—including gang members, murderers, and rapists,” she continued, adding that “70% of ICE arrests are of criminal illegal aliens who have been convicted or have pending charges in the U.S.,” adding:

President [Donald] Trump and [DHS Secretary Kristi] Noem are putting the American people first by removing illegal aliens who pose a threat to our communities.

NPR acknowledged receiving a request for comment from The Daily Signal, but did not provide a response by the time of publication. NPR did include a comment at the end of its report from McLaughlin denying that ICE agents are engaged in racial profiling.  

A view of the sign outside National Public Radio headquarters in Washington, D.C., on July 22. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

In its response to NPR’s report, DHS highlighted 20 criminal illegal aliens that authorities have removed from the streets of Washington, D.C., including illegal immigrants charged with or arrested for aggravated sexual battery of a child, aggravated assault on a police officer, and felony robbery.  

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