DHS Secretary Mullin draws criticism from Trump's base over immigration comments

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's recent comments on Immigration and Custom Enforcement raids and work visas have drawn ire from some in President Donald Trump's base.

Over the weekend, Mullin told the National Governors Association Summer Meeting that in order to grow the economy, there needs to be more employment visas for the farm and agriculture sector, which some Republicans have tried to change out of concern that those who use them will be taking Americans' jobs.

"Because this narrative that it steals American jobs is true in some industries, it's not true for all industries," he said during a fireside chat moderated by NGA chair Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Mullin later tried to clarify his comments in a post on X, saying there should be "NO amnesty for illegal aliens. Ever. We are a nation of laws. If you are illegally present in the United States of America -- you will be detained and deported. Period."

"ICE isn't doing any raids. We're not kicking the door. We're not doing traffic stops," he said. "We're simply grabbing those individuals when they leave. Because here's the other alternative: the other alternative is the release into your state."

Steve Bannon, Trump's onetime chief political strategist, told Politico earlier this week that "Mullin is the wrong guy at the wrong time for the wrong job -- a time when we need focus on 'mass deportations,' we get an amnesty advocate."

Mike Howell, head of the Trump-aligned Oversight Project, has pushed the administration to achieve its goal of mass deportations. "The base wants commas in the deportation numbers, not drama," he told ABC News. "This weekend was drama."

"Secretary Mullin has been clear: if you come to the United States illegally, you will be detained and deported. Under President Trump's leadership, we are enforcing the law and making America safe again," DHS said in a statement.

Mullin asked governors to work with him in the department's deportation efforts -- while taking a swipe at Kristi Noem, his predecessor, whose tenure was marked by videos of ICE roundups and her ride-alongs with law enforcement. "I'm just saying, let's work to get the worst of the worst off the streets, and then you won't see me in your cities and states like you do as much because my presence won't be as big. In fact, you probably won't even see us at all."