Washington, D.C. – February 12, 2026 – The American Hindu Jewish Congress (AHJC) strongly condemns Representative
Shri Thanedar (D-MI)’s ridicule of Rodney Scott, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, Todd Lyons, acting ICE
Director Todd Lyons, and Joseph Edlow, Director U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, during their testimony before
the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee hearing on February 10, 2026.
Rep. Thanedar branded lawful immigration enforcement agents as “thugs” “roaming our streets, attacking our
communities, using our children as baits … targeting people for their accents and the color of their skin, killing American
citizens, and showing no remorse for their actions.” He mocked CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott as a criminal in need of
a Presidential pardon.
Arthur Kapoor, AHJC Chairman, denounced Representative Thanedar’s comments as “inappropriate, inflammatory, and
disrespectful to the rule of law that underpins our nation—and that made his legal entry into the United States and his
path to American citizenship possible.” Chairman Kapoor added: “The United States is a nation of laws, and its
immigration system has enabled millions of legal immigrants, including myself and Representative Thanedar, to build lives
of freedom, safety, and opportunity.“
Ellie Cohanim, AHJC Political Director, stated: “We call on Representative Thanedar to retract his remarks and commit to
constructive, respectful engagement. Our support remains steadfast for the dedicated professionals of ICE and other law
enforcement agencies, the rule of law, and a secure and orderly immigration system that serves both the nation and its
lawful newcomers.
As an alliance of American Hindus and Jews—communities that have long benefited from lawful immigration—AHJC
rejects hateful rhetoric that threatens or demonizes, particularly those tasked with enforcing our laws. While vigorous
oversight and debate are vital to democracy, personal threats have no place in our civic discourse.