Homeland Security Secretary Defends ICE Actions Amid Increased Arrests

<figure><img alt="US Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin testifies before the House Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 25, 2026." src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/YGHSIN44XJDT5DJ7KQ4RMFS3PM.jpg?auth=b809180ef914ce0544bc11fb47eb233dfb630e6269842c4790cd631c74d4593b&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4597&amp;height=2586" /><figcaption>SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin responded to questions from reporters regarding claims that ICE agents had been instructed to increase daily immigration arrests. During a press conference in Washington, D.C., Mullin defended ICE’s actions following an incident in New York City where an agent shot and wounded 28-year-old Oscar Belgal while a child was present in the vehicle.</p><p>According to a report by CNN, ICE leadership instructed agents on Tuesday to increase arrests by an additional 1,000 daily, aiming for a total of 3,000 daily arrests nationwide. This directive reportedly comes as the Trump administration continues its immigration enforcement efforts ahead of the midterm elections, despite some Republican criticism regarding the arrests of immigrants without criminal records.</p><p>During the press conference, Mullin expressed frustration at a reporter's question regarding the increase in deportations, stating, “That’s a narrative that you guys have said that we’re ‘ramping up’ up to the midterm elections. We’re not ramping up anything.” He questioned the source of the claims, suggesting there was no formal communication regarding a ramp-up.</p><p>CNN cited two sources familiar with a verbal directive from ICE leadership. Mullin interrupted the reporter again when he attempted to rephrase his question, insisting that the focus should be on the arrests of serious offenders rather than on the shooting incident.</p><p>Mullin confirmed that the ICE agent involved in the shooting is currently on administrative leave while a joint investigation by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations is underway. He referred to the man who was shot as a “thug” and noted that he had a history of evading police.</p><p>The Department of Homeland Security and the NYPD allege that Belgal has a prior grand larceny conviction, a pending drug case, and connections to the Trinitarios gang. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that surveillance footage showed plainclothes officers approaching Belgal's vehicle before the shooting occurred.</p><p>On Thursday, an ICE agent fired seven rounds at Belgal's car, alleging that he drove into the agents' vehicles before they opened fire, hitting him in the neck while a 5-year-old boy, believed to be his son, was in the back seat.</p>