Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) falsely claimed that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to all Venezuelans fleeing oppression as “dirtbags.” In reality, Noem specifically used the term to describe members of the notorious Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang, not all Venezuelan migrants.
On January 31, Wasserman-Schultz and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) led a group of Democrats in opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to end the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. Their letter misleadingly attributed a blanket statement to Noem, claiming that the administration labeled all Venezuelans as “dirtbags,” “violent criminals,” or the “worst of the worst.”
Wasserman-Schultz later repeated the false claim publicly, stating, “In fact, the secretary of Homeland Security called those Venezuelans that are my neighbors and friends dirtbags — dirtbags.”
However, Noem’s actual comments show a clear distinction between law-abiding Venezuelan migrants and violent criminals. “We are going to follow the process, evaluate these individuals that are in our country, including the Venezuelans who are here and members of TDA,” Noem said, referring specifically to the Tren de Aragua gang. “I was in New York City yesterday and the people of this country want these dirtbags out.”
Noem later reinforced her stance, stating, “I will make no apologies for working hard to remove murderers, rapists, child abusers, and gang members from this country. Yes, these criminal aliens are DIRTBAGS.”
The Tren de Aragua gang, originally from Venezuela, has been linked to a wave of violent crime and fentanyl distribution in the United States. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement recently arrested several of its members for drug-related offenses.
Wasserman-Schultz’s misleading remarks appear to be part of a broader Democratic effort to challenge the Biden administration’s recent immigration enforcement actions. However, the facts remain clear: Noem’s comments were directed at violent gang members, not all Venezuelan migrants.
