DHS Secretary Mullin Faces Backlash Over 'Right Kind of Immigrants' Remarks

Mullin's comments on deporting undocumented immigrants draw criticism for echoing past discriminatory rhetoric.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:51am

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A cinematic, moody painting of a solitary government official standing in a dimly lit office, the figure silhouetted against warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of isolation and unease around the topic of immigration enforcement.The DHS Secretary's hardline rhetoric on immigration policy casts a long, ominous shadow over the agency's future direction.Minneapolis Today

In a recent interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin expressed support for deporting all undocumented immigrants who entered the country during the Biden administration, stating that the U.S. should only accept the 'right kind of immigrants.' Mullin's comments have sparked outrage, with some viewers drawing comparisons to discriminatory rhetoric from the past.

Why it matters

Mullin's statements reflect an increasingly hardline stance on immigration within the Trump administration, which has faced criticism for its aggressive deportation policies and the treatment of asylum-seekers. The remarks also come amid ongoing debates over immigration reform and the role of the DHS in enforcing immigration laws.

The details

During the interview, Mullin claimed that 20 million people entered the U.S. illegally during the Biden administration and that it would cost over $18,000 per person to deport them. He agreed with Ingraham's assertion that the 'American people voted for' mass deportations. Mullin also stated that the administration had already deported over 2 million people since the start of the Trump presidency.

  • Mullin made the remarks during an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham that aired on April 16, 2026.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The current Secretary of Homeland Security, appointed by former President Trump after the ouster of his predecessor, Kristi Noem.

Laura Ingraham

A Fox News host who interviewed Mullin and pushed him on the topic of mass deportations.

Kristi Noem

Mullin's predecessor as DHS Secretary, who was fired by Trump after a controversial year leading the department and its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency.

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What they’re saying

“'We only want the right kind of immigrants' sounds like the sort of thing you might have heard in Germany in the 1940s...”

— X user

“'The white kind of immigrants' is what he meant.”

— X user

What’s next

The Biden administration and civil rights groups are expected to condemn Mullin's remarks and push for a more humane and inclusive approach to immigration policy.

The takeaway

Mullin's comments reflect the Trump administration's continued hardline stance on immigration, which has drawn criticism for its discriminatory rhetoric and aggressive deportation tactics. As the debate over immigration reform continues, there are concerns that such rhetoric could further divide the country and undermine efforts to find a more compassionate and just solution.