A long-held narrative about those apprehended at the border – that only a small fraction are dangerous criminals – is facing intense scrutiny. A recent exchange has brought to light a critical re-evaluation of how “violent crime” is defined, and the implications are startling.
The discussion, between Bill O’Reilly and radio host Sid Rosenberg, centered on the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Rosenberg questioned the constant portrayal of ICE as targeting only vulnerable individuals, referencing the frequently cited statistic of just 14 percent of detainees being classified as violent offenders.
O’Reilly immediately identified what he called a deliberate “con.” The core of the issue, he explained, lies in the surprisingly narrow definition of “violent crime” used to generate that 14 percent figure. Crimes many would instinctively consider violent – drug dealing, child pornography, even causing death with a vehicle – are systematically excluded.
The list continued, revealing further exclusions: domestic abuse, all forms of theft, embezzlement, and even soliciting a minor are not categorized as violent offenses. Rosenberg expressed disbelief, repeatedly interjecting, “No, no. Stop.” The implications were clear – the 14 percent figure presented a profoundly misleading picture.
O’Reilly asserted that this manipulation isn’t accidental. He accused the Democratic Party of intentionally promoting this false narrative to justify dismantling ICE, portraying the agency as unjustly targeting harmless individuals seeking a better life. Major news outlets, he claimed, are complicit in spreading this misinformation.
Confirmation of this skewed categorization came from within the Department of Homeland Security. An Assistant Secretary publicly echoed O’Reilly’s points, listing drug trafficking, child pornography distribution, burglary, and human smuggling among the offenses classified as “non-violent.”
A recent report from CBS News, which initially presented the 14 percent statistic based on data from the DHS, revealed a breakdown of offenses. Even using their own classifications, a more comprehensive tally of violent crimes reaches nearly 30 percent. Removing less-obvious offenses still brings the figure close to 20 percent.
Adding to the complexity, a significant 30.1 percent of arrests fall into an “All other crimes” category, further obscuring the true scope of potential danger. The debate isn’t about whether ICE is truthful, but about how the very definition of “violent crime” is being manipulated to shape public perception.
The narrative being challenged suggests a deliberate attempt to paint ICE as an oppressive force, unjustly targeting innocent immigrants. The reality, according to this emerging picture, is far more nuanced – and potentially far more concerning – than previously understood.
