Kristi Noem Pressed on Deporting U.S.-Born Child With Stage 4 Cancer During Tense House Hearing

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) pressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a House hearing on Wednesday over the recent removal of a four-year-old American battling cancer.

“So, Madam Secretary. Two weeks ago, your agency deported a four-year-old American citizen in a stage-four cancer battle. What are you doing to get him back to the country so he can get his treatment?” Swalwell questioned.

Noem replied, “Congressman, this mother wished to keep her family together and to take her child with her. So as every single person is given the opportunity to, medical care is given throughout the process. And for this child, medical care was confirmed in their home country so that it would continue and those treatments and whatever needs were needed to be had into the future were confirmed to be provided there before.”

“That child’s home country is the United States. Do you believe you have a right to deport a U.S. Citizen?” Swalwell hit back.

“That mother chose to keep her family together, and that is what President Trump is focused on,” Noem replied.

“That’s not the facts of the case,” Swalwell retorted.

Noem replied, “Yes, it is the facts,” adding, “It was confirmed that she wanted to keep her child with her in our family.”

Reports surfaced in late April that DHS deported three young U.S. citizens, including the cancer patient, to Honduras alongside their mothers. A lawyer from the child battling cancer told reporters that he was deported without his medication. Trump’s border czar Tom Homan said at the time the mothers chose to take their kids with them, adding, “Having a US citizen child does not make you immune from our laws.”

Watch the clip above.