US (Washington Insider Magazine) — More than a hundred U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees have signed an open letter condemning the agency’s handling of the Gaza crisis. Addressed to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the letter criticizes DHS’s silence on the escalating humanitarian crisis, citing a lack of public acknowledgment and empathy for the civilian casualties in Gaza.
The letter, obtained by Al Jazeera, highlights the stark absence of “recognition, support, and mourning” for the more than 18,000 Palestinians who have lost their lives since the war began on October 7. The staff members, representing agencies under DHS like Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), expressed dismay at what they described as the agency’s selective approach in responding to humanitarian issues.
The letter reveals internal dissent within DHS, mirroring broader discontent across the Biden administration. Last month, letters from over 500 government officials and 1,000 USAID employees called for President Biden to advocate for an immediate ceasefire. However, Biden’s administration has maintained a stance of “unwavering support” for Israel, focusing on condemning Hamas’s actions rather than addressing the humanitarian toll on Gaza.
DHS staff members cited profound disappointment with Mayorkas’ internal messages, which condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks without mentioning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Staff members who signed the letter anonymously expressed fear of professional repercussions, with one official describing how DHS’s inaction has exacerbated the mental health toll on employees with relatives in Gaza.
The letter urges DHS to implement temporary protected status (TPS) for Palestinians, a policy that would grant employment authorization to those already in the U.S. Similar programs have been offered to other conflict-affected populations, including Ukrainians. However, political roadblocks and the U.S.’s non-recognition of Palestine have hindered such relief measures, leaving staff frustrated.
As DHS leadership remains largely silent, employees feel increasingly disillusioned. “We have the ability to do something, but we’re not,” one senior official lamented, capturing a sentiment of disillusionment that pervades the agency.