Margy O’Herron
@margyoh.bsky.social
Immigration Law and Policy Expert | Senior Fellow, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU | Migration and Human Rights Fellow, Cornell Law School | Former Biden Administration Domestic Policy Council | Former Department of Justice
It is also critical to remember in this debate that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than people born in the US, and communities with high concentrations of immigrants have lower rates of crime. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
Debunking the Myth of the ‘Migrant Crime Wave’
Data does not support claims that the United States is experiencing a surge in crime caused by immigrants.
www.brennancenter.org
February 12, 2026 at 4:13 PM
It is also critical to remember in this debate that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than people born in the US, and communities with high concentrations of immigrants have lower rates of crime. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/ana...
The remaining 35% have either a pending charge (but no conviction), a misdemeanor immigration conviction for “improper entry,” or a conviction for another nonviolent offense.
Bumping this up because Senator Lankford also used incorrect numbers. To repeat: based on ICE’s own data, 60% of those arrested and detained have NO criminal history, and only 5% have a conviction for a violent offense.
Lyons’ claim that 60% of people in detention have a pending or final criminal charge is false. The number is exactly backwards. Approximately 60% of people in ICE custody have NO conviction or even a pending charge. And only 5% have a conviction for a violent crime.
February 12, 2026 at 3:29 PM
The remaining 35% have either a pending charge (but no conviction), a misdemeanor immigration conviction for “improper entry,” or a conviction for another nonviolent offense.
Bumping this up because Senator Lankford also used incorrect numbers. To repeat: based on ICE’s own data, 60% of those arrested and detained have NO criminal history, and only 5% have a conviction for a violent offense.
Lyons’ claim that 60% of people in detention have a pending or final criminal charge is false. The number is exactly backwards. Approximately 60% of people in ICE custody have NO conviction or even a pending charge. And only 5% have a conviction for a violent crime.
February 12, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Bumping this up because Senator Lankford also used incorrect numbers. To repeat: based on ICE’s own data, 60% of those arrested and detained have NO criminal history, and only 5% have a conviction for a violent offense.
Lyons is incorrect: it is not a crime to “skip a Notice to Appear,” whatever that means.
February 10, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Lyons is incorrect: it is not a crime to “skip a Notice to Appear,” whatever that means.
Lyons says, “I can assure you,” ICE does not have a database that tracks US citizens, but ICE has signed contracts worth millions that do just that. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
ICE Wants to Go After Dissenters as well as Immigrants
The Trump administration is being open about its plans to violate Americans’ First and Fourth Amendment rights.
www.brennancenter.org
February 10, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Lyons says, “I can assure you,” ICE does not have a database that tracks US citizens, but ICE has signed contracts worth millions that do just that. www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Lyons’ claim that 60% of people in detention have a pending or final criminal charge is false. The number is exactly backwards. Approximately 60% of people in ICE custody have NO conviction or even a pending charge. And only 5% have a conviction for a violent crime.
February 10, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Lyons’ claim that 60% of people in detention have a pending or final criminal charge is false. The number is exactly backwards. Approximately 60% of people in ICE custody have NO conviction or even a pending charge. And only 5% have a conviction for a violent crime.
Lyons and Scott: ICE and CBP are not involved in any planning for elections.
February 10, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Lyons and Scott: ICE and CBP are not involved in any planning for elections.
10,000 out of 20,000 BP are wearing body cams, 3,000 of 12,000 at ICE
February 10, 2026 at 3:54 PM
10,000 out of 20,000 BP are wearing body cams, 3,000 of 12,000 at ICE
Lyons and Scott: all agents are trained on “less lethal” weapons use like tasers
February 10, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Lyons and Scott: all agents are trained on “less lethal” weapons use like tasers
Lyons: says curriculum is the same but timeline is shorter, there is pre-employment training, and “on the job”training. Scott: no change to CBP training except is now doing quarterly training re protestor interactions.
February 10, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Lyons: says curriculum is the same but timeline is shorter, there is pre-employment training, and “on the job”training. Scott: no change to CBP training except is now doing quarterly training re protestor interactions.
Lyons’ assertion that 200,0000 kids were lost is false. They were released to custody of family or other sponsors who were vetted. But they were not put in deportation proceedings so ICE couldn’t easily deport them.
February 10, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Lyons’ assertion that 200,0000 kids were lost is false. They were released to custody of family or other sponsors who were vetted. But they were not put in deportation proceedings so ICE couldn’t easily deport them.
ICE Director Todd Lyons says ICE is doing exactly what it was trained to do. Repeats contention that attacks on officers is up 14,000 percent, but ICE has never provided evidence to support that number.
February 10, 2026 at 3:45 PM
ICE Director Todd Lyons says ICE is doing exactly what it was trained to do. Repeats contention that attacks on officers is up 14,000 percent, but ICE has never provided evidence to support that number.
USCIS Director Edlow is next and suggests he is working in American’s interest, but makes no mention of the American businesses and families who are being broken up by denial of visas and reopening of previously-approved status.
February 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM
USCIS Director Edlow is next and suggests he is working in American’s interest, but makes no mention of the American businesses and families who are being broken up by denial of visas and reopening of previously-approved status.
Scott’s characterizes protestors as impeding, interfering, and “not engaged in peaceful protest.” There have been a few documented incidents that could fit that description-mostly people throwing things at officers-but overall, his statement is wildly at odds with reporting and videos.
February 10, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Scott’s characterizes protestors as impeding, interfering, and “not engaged in peaceful protest.” There have been a few documented incidents that could fit that description-mostly people throwing things at officers-but overall, his statement is wildly at odds with reporting and videos.
Up first: Rodney Scott, Commissioner of CBP. He cites significant drops in encounters at the border. with FY25 funds, why does CBP need the 65B from July and why is it now asking for 18B more?
February 10, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Up first: Rodney Scott, Commissioner of CBP. He cites significant drops in encounters at the border. with FY25 funds, why does CBP need the 65B from July and why is it now asking for 18B more?
This is a chance for Congress to assert itself as a co-equal branch to demand answers from DHS leaders cor recent abuses of citizens and noncitizens.
Weak oversight and accountability have allowed DHS to violate Americans basic rights for decades. Today’s congressional hearing is an opportunity to face that problem — and start fixing it. Watch live:
Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: ICE, CBP, and USCIS – Committee on Homeland Security
homeland.house.gov
February 10, 2026 at 3:21 PM
This is a chance for Congress to assert itself as a co-equal branch to demand answers from DHS leaders cor recent abuses of citizens and noncitizens.
Listening to as much of the House Homeland Security hearing as I can this morning to hear CBP, ICE, and USCIS heads testify.
February 10, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Listening to as much of the House Homeland Security hearing as I can this morning to hear CBP, ICE, and USCIS heads testify.
Reposted by Margy O’Herron
No DHS funding without stronger oversight and accountability, civil liberties protections, curbs on violence. Congress must "flex its muscle" - by @rlevinsonwaldman.bsky.social, @margyoh.bsky.social, @hannahajames.bsky.social
Expert Survey on DHS, CBP, and ICE Reforms
Experts detail targeted reforms and legislative pathways Congress could enact to improve ICE and CBP accountability.
www.justsecurity.org
February 9, 2026 at 11:17 PM
No DHS funding without stronger oversight and accountability, civil liberties protections, curbs on violence. Congress must "flex its muscle" - by @rlevinsonwaldman.bsky.social, @margyoh.bsky.social, @hannahajames.bsky.social
Reposted by Margy O’Herron
The killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents has sparked outrage and calls for accountability for federal abuses of power. Learn how states are stepping up to fill the gap in accountability for federal officials who violate the Constitution: go.statecourtreport.org/subscribe.
January 27, 2026 at 2:26 AM
The killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents has sparked outrage and calls for accountability for federal abuses of power. Learn how states are stepping up to fill the gap in accountability for federal officials who violate the Constitution: go.statecourtreport.org/subscribe.
Congress is debating whether to give DHS additional funding for immigration enforcement, but ICE and CBP have only spent a fraction of its staggering budget – much of it on a violent crackdown on immigrants and protesters. Here are the numbers. 1/23
January 27, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Congress is debating whether to give DHS additional funding for immigration enforcement, but ICE and CBP have only spent a fraction of its staggering budget – much of it on a violent crackdown on immigrants and protesters. Here are the numbers. 1/23
Reposted by Margy O’Herron
President Trump plans to ramp up efforts to strip some naturalized Americans of their citizenship. But when the government sets arbitrary targets, people who shouldn't be swept up, get swept up. Brennan Center’s @margyoh.bsky.social spoke to the NYTimes: nyti.ms/4p18Ufe
December 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM
President Trump plans to ramp up efforts to strip some naturalized Americans of their citizenship. But when the government sets arbitrary targets, people who shouldn't be swept up, get swept up. Brennan Center’s @margyoh.bsky.social spoke to the NYTimes: nyti.ms/4p18Ufe
The Trump administration is taking drastic action to shut down legal immigration after the tragic shooting of two national guard soldiers by an Afghan immigrant. Targeting legal immigration — people who have followed the rules — is the wrong strategy. 🧵
December 4, 2025 at 10:32 PM
The Trump administration is taking drastic action to shut down legal immigration after the tragic shooting of two national guard soldiers by an Afghan immigrant. Targeting legal immigration — people who have followed the rules — is the wrong strategy. 🧵
Reposted by Margy O’Herron
Proud to have signed this with many of my former colleagues.
Foreign students and scholars offer new perspectives and experiences to our universities, our students, and ultimately our society. Attacking and shutting our doors to them ultimately makes our nation poorer.
Foreign students and scholars offer new perspectives and experiences to our universities, our students, and ultimately our society. Attacking and shutting our doors to them ultimately makes our nation poorer.
Former ambassadors and senior State Department officials — including Steady State members — warn that the U.S. is targeting foreign students and scholars for their lawful speech, undermining free-expression principles and harming America’s global standing.
drive.google.com/file/d/1GIq2...
drive.google.com/file/d/1GIq2...
November 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Proud to have signed this with many of my former colleagues.
Foreign students and scholars offer new perspectives and experiences to our universities, our students, and ultimately our society. Attacking and shutting our doors to them ultimately makes our nation poorer.
Foreign students and scholars offer new perspectives and experiences to our universities, our students, and ultimately our society. Attacking and shutting our doors to them ultimately makes our nation poorer.
Reposted by Margy O’Herron
NEW: I wrote for @statecourtreport.org about the important role *state* law plays in immigration enforcement, and some ongoing litigation in WI, NY, and CA that will shape the relationship between ICE and the states and localities in which it operates. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
State Challenges to Immigration Enforcement Practices
Recent lawsuits in Wisconsin, New York, and California explore questions about the role of state law in federal immigration enforcement.
statecourtreport.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
NEW: I wrote for @statecourtreport.org about the important role *state* law plays in immigration enforcement, and some ongoing litigation in WI, NY, and CA that will shape the relationship between ICE and the states and localities in which it operates. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...