White House says ‘no one’ changing Trump enforcement agenda in response to Angel Mom appeal to Mullin

Key Takeaways

• The White House and DHS say the administration's immigration enforcement priorities will not change in response to a plea from Angel Mom Angie Morfin to incoming DHS nominee Sen. Markwayne Mullin.
• DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis and White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson emphasized targeting of immigrant offenders; Bis cited ICE data saying nearly 70% of arrests are of people charged or convicted of crimes.
• Jackson said the administration credits its policies with about 3 million people leaving the U.S.; it has been reported that this figure is an administration claim and has not been independently verified here.
• The immediate impact is primarily on unauthorized immigrants, especially those charged or convicted of crimes; visa applicants and lawful immigrants are less directly affected by these enforcement statements.

What the White House said

The White House told Fox News Digital that "nobody is changing the Administration’s immigration enforcement agenda" as Sen. Markwayne Mullin awaits confirmation to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis — referencing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — said the department is "targeting dangerous criminal illegal aliens" and that "nearly 70% of arrests by ICE are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S." Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, additionally said the administration's enforcement priorities put deportation of criminal noncitizens "as the highest priority." It has been reported that Jackson also asserted approximately 3 million people have left the United States under current policies; that number is an administration claim and not independently verified in this report.

The Angel Mom appeal and human impact

Angie Morfin, who lost her 13‑year‑old son Ruben decades ago to a convicted killer, publicly asked Mullin to "make sure no other mother has to get the call I did," urging continued attention to victims of immigrant crime. Morfin’s account of her son's 1990 killing was shared in an interview with The American Border Story and recounted to Fox News Digital; her plea is the kind of human testimony that often shapes public debate and political messaging around enforcement. Whether motivated by such appeals or broader policy goals, officials are signaling continuity in an enforcement-first approach, which carries real consequences for families on both sides of the border and for communities that feel vulnerable.

What this means now for immigrants and applicants

For people navigating the immigration system today, the immediate takeaway is that enforcement priorities under the Trump administration are expected to remain focused on removal of unauthorized immigrants, especially those charged or convicted of crimes. That can translate to increased ICE arrests, detention, and deportation referrals rather than changes to visa processing or asylum standards directly. If you are an immigrant facing criminal charges, contact counsel promptly. If you are a lawful applicant or visa holder, this public posture does not automatically change adjudication timelines, but it does signal a political environment where enforcement is emphasized. Watch the Senate confirmation timeline for Mullin — he is expected to take the reins at DHS near the end of the month — because leadership changes can affect enforcement directives and agency guidance.

Source: Original Article