Exclusive: Dick Durbin Blasts Kristi Noem on Proof of Citizenship Threat

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Jan 16, 2026 at 06:21 PM EST updated Jan 16, 2026 at 06:22 PM EST


Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on Friday, telling her he was outraged at “repeated targeting and racial profiling” of American citizens by her agents carrying out "citizen checks."

In a letter exclusively shared with Newsweek, the Democrat told Noem that statements she and U.S. Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino had made that U.S. citizens needed to prove their identity were false.

“To state the obvious, we are not a ‘papers, please’ country,” Durbin wrote. “American citizens generally do not have ‘immigration documents’, and to require them to carry such documents to avoid being violently stopped or interrogated by federal immigration agents is absurd and unconstitutional. There is no requirement in the law for U.S. citizens to carry identification to avoid arbitrary arrest and detention.”

Why It Matters

The letter came after Noem spoke to reporters on Thursday, saying that ICE agents may ask U.S. citizens for proof of citizenship during enforcement operations that have seen protesters clash with federal officers and citizens temporarily detained. Some video has shown citizens reacting angrily to such requests, saying they do not need to prove who they are, with concerns around Fourth Amendment protections.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/dick-durbin-letter-kristi-noem-proof-us-citizenship-threat-11375186

[SunSeeker]

1. I am now keeping my passport with me everywhere I go. We are no longer a free country. nt

[wolfie001]

7. "Show me your papers"

That was a movie phrase we all thought we would never have to deal with in our special, POS 3rd world wannabe country. Many thanks to this racist fat pig.
[img][/img]

[ColoringFool]

15. What Do You Mean, "movie phrase"?? This Was A Nazi Germany DEMAND FOR REAL ...

Of people on public transportation, on sidewalks, everywhere.

Did you think the police command was from a work of fiction?!

[wolfie001]

25. What do YOU mean questioning my motive?

This is a standard nazi expression that the tRUMP admin. is using on WE THE PEOPLE! *Don't explain history to me. We Americans have all seen and heard this phrase used in movies at a caricaturized level. Did you miss my whole point? Stick to the plan and stop with the petty second-guessing. Waste of energy fighting DUers. Go fight the rePUKE nazis. That would be more productive, don't ya think?

[ColoringFool]

32. As long as people understand that the phrase was used to murder, and not..

simply to make a movie scene.

I'm old. Been protesting since the 60s. Don't impugn MY motives if you don't care for the concept.

[wolfie001]

42. Yes, I understand and I'm turning 66

I remember Peter Graves as the Nazi infiltrator in 'Stalag 17'. We're on the same page. Cheers

[NBachers]

43. This attack was completely unnecessary

[paleotn]

40. Soviets did it for real.

And inevitably, your papers "weren't in order" even if they were.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. I'm not

I refuse. I am an American.

[SunSeeker]

29. Good. I'm an American too. But I have a family who needs me.

My kid is still in school.

Until we restore rule of law in this country, I will do my pushback by donating to Democratic causes, peacefully protesting and speaking out.

To folks like you who can take greater risks, more power to you!!

[JustAnotherGen]

31. It's a return

To slave catchers and Black people being suspect just for being in public.

To both Donald and Miller: I was here first. Get out of my country before we hang you both.

[SunSeeker]

34. Native Americans were here before anyone, and ICE is disappearing them too!

https://www.fox9.com/news/oglala-sioux-leaders-seek-missing-members-detained-ice-minneapolis

[snot]

41. I also refuse.

I realize that many may not be in a position to take great risks; but the more friction TPTB encounter in carrying out their unlawful activities, the better.

Your Silence Will Not Protect You – Audre Lorde

Ditto your compliance.

[kimbutgar]

30. I live in California and going to Arizona at the end of the month to visit my husbands family

I asked my husband kind of sarcastically if I should bring my passport, my husband said he was bringing his with him and it shocked me ( he is the whitest of white looking men). So I’ll be bring my passport with me just in case.

And it makes me sad and mad this nation has to come to this! 😢😡

[BidenRocks]

33. I loaded a digital Ca. DL.

It has my correct address, my physical one doesn't.
I have pics of my passport, birth cert and marriage license.
Also my DD-214.

Why? No trust in our federal government!
I would not give them anything original. 'Shred'!

[SunSeeker]

37. Can ICE look up our digital California driver's license to get the info?

The state says you cannot use it to show law enforcement if you get pulled over.

https://www.ktvu.com/news/california-dmv-expands-digital-drivers-license-program-how-to-sign-up

[paleotn]

39. Been doing that since 2016. Just in case.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Like racial profiling without the race part.

You're assumed to be illegally in the country until you can prove you aren't.

[Roy Rolling]

3. Here's my papers

Fuck you.

[BidenRocks]

36. Here's my Zig Zags.

Don't roll a pregnant doob!

[Lovie777]

4. It does not matter...................

people have had proper papers and ICE still eff them up.

[wolfie001]

8. Yep. They're here legally

Only problem is they're living in a state that didn't vote for the fat orange imbecile. Oftentimes. Kind of like hitting the KKK lottery.

[riversedge]

28. Agree, as some of videos have shown that ICE does not even give some the opportunity to

present their papers==several Fed agents just jump on the person--

[lastlib]

5. Key words are "arbitrary arrest".

That is NOT PERMITTED in this nation!

[liberalgunwilltravel]

6. Do people still doubt

That the only way to stop the fascists is by force. It’s getting pretty clear that they have no intention of allowing free and fair elections. And the cowards and traitor Republicans in Congress aren’t going to do anything to stop them. MAGA portrays us as enemies. When someone tells you who they are, believe them, the first time!

[wolfie001]

9. Remember Coney Barrett and Kavanaugh went on a speaking tour where they pontificated about.....

....how they're standing firm in their beliefs. i.e.: christo-fascism and racism.

[BradBo]

10. Noem could careless.

Trump and the Puppy Killer dont care about the courts. Shes pissed about her dog killer story getting so much traction. She insanes now. She just a horrible Nazi bitch now.
And she had to have sex with Corey R. Lewandowski to be able to grift off the MAGA crowd. Shes got a mortgage to pay ya know.

[Timeflyer]

12. Her vile words already had her desired result of spreading fear and confusion. Lies spread faster than truth.

[oldmanlynn]

13. Did the blast help?

I personally get tired of just blasting. The MAGAs love that you blast them. They dont care. They want to trigger blasts. Blast mean little

[AverageOldGuy]

14. We carry:

Driver’s license
Debit card
Credit card
Medicare card
Pics of adult children
Pics of grandchildren
Some cash

I carry my concealed carry permit and a .40cal SiggSauer. Come and take it.

[samnsara]

16. its elon and his damned apartheid

.. I still have my WAZZU OUT button from college (at wash state university) when the students demanded wsu divest itself from s africa interests.


this has elons grimy hands all over it..somehow.

[Javaman]

17. Someone should ask cosplaying Barbie

For her proof of citizenship

[cbabe]

22. Ice identification papers, please.

[BidenRocks]

35. I saw her 'before' picture.

She looked like my high school girlfriend. Only 15 years older. Very mid-west pretty.
Now she's a serious South Park parody!
Women think this plastic surgery makes them look good?
Why not go all Jelly Roll and get your face tats?

Beauty is only skin deep? Update 2026!
Ugly starts at the skin and goes all the way in!

I believe these procedures fuck up their minds.

[Conjuay]

18. guess what the next executive order will be?

N/T

[AllyCat]

19. Another strongly worded letter. That oughtta do the trick.

Democratic niceties are not going to save us.

[AverageOldGuy]

20. Do what I am doing right now

Go to any office supply store, or, order from Amazon, a packet of sheets of business cards that you can run through your printer -- you know -- address labels, shipping labels -- they also make sheets of blank business cards.

Print up a few that read: FUCK YOU

Hand them out to anyone asking for your proof of citizenship.

Of course, when it's a local cop who stops you for doing 40 in a 25mph school zone, not a good idea. But, of course, it's not the local cops who are screwing with people.

[myohmy2]

21. okay Chuck...

...what are you going to do about it...?

...just curious...

[durablend]

26. Change the subject, of course

[LetMyPeopleVote]

23. This ruling makes me smile

Link to tweet

[J_William_Ryan]

24. "Democratic niceties are not going to save us"

What exactly would you have Democratic officials do.

What levers of power do Democrats have access to to stop the likes of Noem.

The fault lies not with elected Democrats but with the fear, ignorance, and stupidity of the voters and the fascist Trump regime they foolishly put into power.

[AllyCat]

38. I assume you meant to reply to my post.

While I think all elected officials have a duty to condemn this blatantly unconstitutional action from our Nazi DHS, they could be out in the news media more than they are making a stink about it. They have no power right now, you are correct. Durbin needs to retire and largely because he has voted with the Repukes 5 times to approve some of these miserable cabinet appointments and some of the dumb things this congress has done such as ending the government shutdown.

We need new people in office. These strongly worded letters never get us anywhere.

I hope I'm wrong and he is working behind the scenes with the knowledge he has after years of experience to figure out how to stop this insanity.

I'm just really frustrated with the electorate and the Congress doing absolutely nothing to stop this train. And yes, I do know it is run by the horrible Republicans.

This is my opinion.

[dlk]

27. Norm's edict by proclamation

Another megalomaniac Republicans have inflicted us with.