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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Senate Oversight Hearing: Department of Homeland Security (April 2015)

Original title: OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

January 1, 2023

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing examines the effectiveness of Department of Homeland Security background checks for immigration programs like , specifically addressing concerns about the approval of applicants with criminal or gang affiliations.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

DACA applicants

The vetting and approval processes for DACA applicants are subject to review and potential policy changes based on oversight findings.

Department of Homeland Security

The agency is required to provide testimony and data regarding its internal operations and immigration benefit processing.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2023.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a 2015 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson testified regarding department policies. Senators questioned the Secretary on immigration enforcement, the program, and the adequacy of background checks for immigration benefits.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on April 28, 2015, before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
  • Chairman Grassley questioned the Department of Homeland Security regarding the vetting process for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
  • The Department of Homeland Security admitted that Emmanuel Rangel-Hernandez, a DACA recipient accused of murder, had been approved for the program despite known gang affiliations.
  • The Department of Homeland Security has terminated 282 DACA requests due to criminal or gang-related issues.
  • The hearing included a review of USCIS obligations from fiscal years 2009 to 2015.
  • The record includes data on H-1B and H2B visa approvals and denials from fiscal years 2013 to 2015.
  • The committee requested and received responses from Secretary Johnson regarding fraud account spending and exam spending.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the primary purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to conduct of the Department of Homeland Security and to question Secretary Jeh Johnson on immigration policies and the administration of the program.
Why did the committee discuss the case of Emmanuel Rangel-Hernandez?
The case was raised as an example of potential lapses in the background check process, as the individual was granted DACA status despite having known gang affiliations.

Why It Matters

The hearing examines the effectiveness of Department of Homeland Security background checks for immigration programs like , specifically addressing concerns about the approval of applicants with criminal or gang affiliations.

News Coverage

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Lobbying Activity

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$70,000

2026

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In support of the No Political Enemies Act to prevent executive punishing of individuals or organizations for constitutionally protected speech, belies, viewpoints, or political participation. In support of amending DHS appropriation riders to improve oversight and accountability on Department of Homeland security surveillance. In opposition to the SAVE America Act and requiring unnecessary barriers to voting. In support of increasing federal election security funding and identifying risks to election security and confidence posed by executive orders. In support of encouraging congressional members to uphold their legal duty to seat future lawfully elected members of Congress from the midterm elections. In support of reforms that strengthening the independence of the Judge Advocate General Corps through reforms of notification to Congress on before their termination. In support of reforms to protect independent legal advice within DoD and protect the non-political nature of the armed forces. In support of reforming the national emergencies framework to prevent executive abuses. Advocating in support of reforms that would prevent the executive branch from harming First Amendment rights of broadcasters.

Protect Democracy United (formerly known as UNITED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY)

$70,000

2026

GOVERNMENT ISSUES

In support of the No Political Enemies Act to prevent executive punishing of individuals or organizations for constitutionally protected speech, belies, viewpoints, or political participation. In support of amending DHS appropriation riders to improve oversight and accountability on Department of Homeland security surveillance. In opposition to the SAVE America Act and requiring unnecessary barriers to voting. In support of increasing federal election security funding and identifying risks to election security and confidence posed by executive orders. In support of encouraging congressional members to uphold their legal duty to seat future lawfully elected members of Congress from the midterm elections. In support of reforms that strengthening the independence of the Judge Advocate General Corps through reforms of notification to Congress on before their termination. In support of reforms to protect independent legal advice within DoD and protect the non-political nature of the armed forces. In support of reforming the national emergencies framework to prevent executive abuses. Advocating in support of reforms that would prevent the executive branch from harming First Amendment rights of broadcasters.

CLEARSPEED INC.

$330,000

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

DACA Vetting Scrutiny

The hearing highlights a specific moment where congressional oversight forced the disclosure of vetting failures within the DACA program.

Connected Entities

personJeh JohnsonSecretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland SecurityMap →
organizationSenate Committee on the JudiciaryThe committee conducting the oversight hearingMap →
personEmmanuel Rangel-HernandezA DACA recipient accused of murder whose case was cited as an example of vettingMap →
personCharles E. GrassleyChairman of the Senate Committee on the JudiciaryMap →
organizationU.S. Department of Homeland SecurityThe federal department under oversightMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance80
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy75
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment40
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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