Randi Weingarten faces DHS criticism over immigration rhetoric

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has drawn criticism following a video filmed near the Delaney Hall migrant detention facility in New Jersey. In the footage, Weingarten described the government’s immigration enforcement actions as “despicable” and argued that those being detained “have not committed any crimes.” She advocated against the detention and deportation of immigrants, citing a broken immigration system and the desire of migrants to seek better lives.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded to Weingarten’s comments, labeling them “dangerous rhetoric” that demonizes law enforcement. A DHS spokesperson stated that such rhetoric has contributed to an increase in threats against DHS personnel. Additionally, the agency disputed Weingarten’s claims regarding the facility, asserting that any allegations of “subprime conditions” at ICE detention centers are false.