Department of Homeland Security hits back at Kim Kardashian after she calls ICE raids in LA ‘inhumane’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A senior official at the Department of Homeland Security issued a fierce public rebuke of Kim Kardashian on Wednesday, June 11, after the reality star and entrepreneur denounced recent immigration raids in Los Angeles as “inhumane.”

The agency defended its enforcement actions by spotlighting the violent criminal histories of several undocumented immigrants arrested in recent days, as reported by the New York Post.

Kim Kardashian's ICE criticism draws sharp response from Department of Homeland Security 

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, directly addressed Kim Kardashian on X (formerly Twitter), challenging her criticism of ICE's conduct.

“@KimKardashian, which one of these convicted child molesters, murderers, drug traffickers and rapists would you like to stay in the country?” McLaughlin wrote alongside a set of booking photos and case summaries of four men apprehended during ICE sweeps in the past 72 hours.

Among those taken into custody were several individuals with serious criminal records. Eswin Uriel Castro, who had previously been deported, had convictions for child abuse and carrying a dangerous weapon.

Gerardo Antonio-Palacios, a Mexican national, had prior convictions for homicide and burglary.

Another Mexican national, Antonio Benitez-Ugarte, had a history of drug trafficking. Also arrested was Mab Khleb, a 53-year-old from Cambodia, whose criminal past included convictions for drug offenses, lewd action with a child, and battery.

“These are just a few of the convicted illegal criminals who have been picked up in the last 72 hours,” McLaughlin highlighted in her post.

The exchange came on the heels of growing unrest in LA following high-profile ICE operations in the city’s downtown Fashion District.

President Donald Trump recently ordered the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to quell intensifying protests over ICE raids, a move that has sparked backlash and intensified political divisions across the country.

Kim Kardashian defends 'innocent, hardworking' immigrants amid ICE raids

Kim Kardashian, who has previously worked with the Donald Trump administration on criminal justice reform, voiced strong opposition to the raids via Instagram Stories on Tuesday.

“When we’re told that ICE exists to keep our country safe and remove violent criminals — great. But when we witness innocent, hardworking people being ripped from their families in inhumane ways, we have to speak up,” the 44-year-old wrote. 

She added that immigrants are foundational to the identity of LA, describing them as “neighbors, friends, classmates, coworkers, and family.”

“No matter where you fall politically, it’s clear that our communities thrive because of the contributions of immigrants. We can’t turn a blind eye when fear and injustice keep people from living their lives freely and safely. There HAS to be a BETTER way,” Kardashian insisted.