During a recent House Appropriations Committee Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing, Congressman Tony Gonzales engaged with Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons about ongoing repatriation efforts at Fort Bliss and Biggs Airfield base in El Paso. The discussion also touched on the staffing challenges and the role of task forces.
Congressman Gonzales expressed concerns about staffing levels during his visits to Fort Bliss, noting that “when you have three people sharing a shift, that makes it difficult.” He inquired about ICE’s role in ensuring adequate staffing, especially with civilian personnel. In response, Acting Director Lyons highlighted the administration’s comprehensive approach under Secretary Noem’s leadership. He emphasized the importance of recruiting civilian contractors to assist with medical care, housing, food, and processing at these facilities.
Lyons stated, “We do not detain for punitive—we detain in order to remove,” underscoring the agency’s focus on swift processing and removal. When asked about the number of flights conducted out of Fort Bliss and removals achieved, Lyons promised to provide specific figures later but mentioned that ICE conducts removal flights daily.
The conversation also covered task forces’ significance. Congressman Gonzales acknowledged their effectiveness and sought insights from Lyons on their importance. Lyons affirmed that “task forces are key to securing the homeland” and explained their deployment across states to address border-related issues and public safety threats.
Congressman Gonzales concluded by emphasizing collaboration with ICE and ERO to ensure they have necessary resources. He praised the partnership with the Department of Defense as successful and noted Fort Bliss’s pivotal role in these efforts.
Secretary Noem was mentioned for her testimony regarding over 600,000 confirmed convicted criminal aliens in the country, highlighting ICE’s critical role in addressing this issue.
