Over 100 employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have submitted an open letter to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas criticizing the department’s approach toward the conflict in Gaza.
The letter highlighted a significant omission in the department’s communications – a lack of acknowledgment and empathy for the over 18,000 Palestinians who have died in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7.
The letter, dated November 22, points out that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the conditions in the West Bank are situations typically addressed by the DHS. However, the letter accuses the DHS leadership of neglecting the bombing of refugee camps, hospitals, ambulances, and civilians.
The signatories, totaling 139, come from various branches of the DHS, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Some staff members chose to sign the letter anonymously, fearing potential backlash.
The letter urges the DHS to fairly represent the situation and support open expression without fear of professional consequences. This comes in the context of more than 500 government officials from 40 agencies issuing a separate anonymous letter to President Biden, advocating for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Additionally, 1,000 employees from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) made a similar plea.
Despite these appeals, President Biden has maintained support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, affirming his “rock solid and unwavering” commitment to Israel.
In an internal message on November 2, Mayorkas reiterated Biden’s stance, condemning the “horrific terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7” by Hamas, but omitting any mention of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Mayorkas emphasized the department’s role in combating antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate and bigotry. Meanwhile, United Nations experts have raised concerns about a “grave risk of genocide” in Gaza amid dwindling supplies and ongoing bombings.
An anonymous DHS official expressed disillusionment, noting a significant shift in the department’s response to humanitarian crises since October 7, highlighting the troubling implications of political involvement in such situations.
