DHS Secretary Mullin addresses ICE facility violence and H‑1B visa fee surge in Senate hearing

Senator Katie Britt chaired a Senate Homeland Security appropriations hearing, questioning DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin about recent violent incidents at an ICE detention facility and defending Alabama's security programs.

Mullin also disclosed that more than 200,000 H‑1B applicants paid a $100,000 fee in FY2026 to accelerate processing to about 15 days, compared with the standard 7½‑month timeline. Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and others raised concerns about the impact on rural healthcare and education, urging exemptions for medical professionals and teachers. Mullin said the department would review possible flexibility for such cases.