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

Original title: OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Record date · January 1, 2023

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What This Bill Does

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.

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.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

DACA applicants

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

Directly affected

Department of Homeland Security

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

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.
Show all 7 facts
  • 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.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

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. ”

HouseMatched on title words onlyView filing on LDA.gov →

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. ”

Senate LDAMatched on title words onlyView filing on LDA.gov →

CLEARSPEED INC.

$330,000
Senate LDAMatched on title words onlyView filing on LDA.gov →

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

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

Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Emmanuel Rangel-Hernandez, Charles E. Grassley and 2 more
OrganizationSenate Committee on the Judiciary“The committee conducting the oversight hearing”Map →
PersonEmmanuel Rangel-Hernandez“A DACA recipient accused of murder whose case was cited as an example of vetting”Map →
PersonCharles E. Grassley“Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary”Map →
PersonJeh Johnson“Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security”Map →
OrganizationU.S. Department of Homeland Security“The federal department under oversight”Map →

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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