DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized sanctuary cities during a speech commemorating the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. He argued that these cities, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies, could create conditions that increase the risk of future terrorist attacks. "It’s tough to sometimes fight — and I’m not trying to get political here, but I will — sanctuary cities that they don’t want us to go into," Mullin said. He claimed that by not supporting federal immigration efforts, sanctuary cities might provide safe spaces for potential threats. Sanctuary cities typically prohibit local police and jails from assisting federal immigration authorities with tasks like making arrests or holding detainees based solely on immigration violations. Supporters of these policies argue that such cooperation can erode trust between immigrant communities and local police, and also place financial strain on local budgets. However, federal agencies still have the legal power to pursue arrests and detain individuals in these cities, regardless of local policies. Mullin also questioned the growing political controversy surrounding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is tasked with protecting Americans from threats. "Why should the Department of Homeland Security be controversial?" he asked. "We’re taking care of your backyard. Why did it become political? Because some people want to score political points?" Under the Trump administration, however, public support for DHS has declined. A July poll by The Economist and YouGov found that about half of Americans support abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a key DHS agency. According to Pew Research Center, Americans’ favorable view of DHS dropped significantly between 2023 and 2025. DHS under the Trump administration has been involved in several controversial operations, including using masked agents, sending heavily armed officers to conduct warrantless raids, and increasing arrests at sensitive locations like schools and hospitals. In January, DHS agents fatally shot two American protesters in Minneapolis, leading to widespread protests. In response to these criticisms, former DHS officials have called for a "reset" in the department’s focus, returning to its core mission of stopping security threats. Former Obama-era DHS secretary Jeh Johnson recently told NBC News that DHS has become viewed negatively in many communities, with some perceiving it as associated with mass deportations and harsh enforcement tactics. In a statement to The Independent, DHS defended its actions under the Trump administration, emphasizing that counterterrorism and immigration enforcement are closely linked. A spokesperson said that issues like child exploitation, trafficking, and smuggling are often tied to illegal immigration. The statement also noted that despite political challenges, DHS has been working to modernize and expand its capabilities in counterterrorism and other areas to ensure national security.