Congresswoman Ramirez Statement on DHS Granting DOGE Access to Sensitive Naturalization and Immigration Data

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement after reports that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided DOGE and Elon Musk with access to sensitive individual information related to immigration and naturalization.

“The Administration’s decision to allow a group of unprepared, unqualified, and untrustworthy Musk loyalists to run amok through our nation’s private, sensitive data should raise the alarm. Trump, Noem, and Rubio have weaponized the federal government to pursue a campaign of persecution, mass incarceration, and deportation – disregarding immigrants’ rights and their status. They have ordered the abduction of immigrant activists, the erratic cancellation of visas, the use of infamous off-shore mega prisons, and the violation of due process. It is deplorable that the sensitive information of Temporary Protected Status, DACA applicants and recipients, visa holders, and naturalized individuals would be used to violate their rights. 

As Members of Congress, the Administration must be held accountable and owe us answers about their abuses of power. We can’t normalize what is happening. We can’t normalize the misuse of our data, the disappearance of our neighbors, the dehumanization of people, or the erosion of our constitutional rights. The 47.8 million immigrants making our nation great are NOT the enemy. We must remember that fascism and authoritarianism are the real threats to our nation. Today, Trump will tell you the enemy is immigrants; tomorrow, it will be whoever they deem “undesirable.”  Fascism always demands a public enemy.”