Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem seemingly changed tune regarding her assertion that the men suspected of stealing her purse at a Washington D.C. restaurant earlier this month are undocumented immigrants, now saying she's "very confident" about it.
Noem had told The Washington Post in a statement that Mario Bustamente Leiva is a "career criminal who has been in our country illegally for years." "Unfortunately, so many families in this country have been made victims by crime, and that's why President Trump is working every single day to make America safe and get these criminal aliens off of our streets," she added.
The outlet noted it had not been able to verify whether the man is in fact undocumented. Noem did not make reference to the other suspect, who was arrested in Florida and is being held on an immigration detainer while charges are being finalized. He was later identified as Cristian Rodrigo Montecino-Sanzana.
Noem then spoke to CBS News at the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, saying "she's very confident" about the possibility that the men in question are undocumented. "These are career criminals," she claimed. Noem went on to assert they are in fact living in the country unlawfully, saying "they have perpetuated crimes against many people in this country for many years illegally."
The Department of Justice also said on Monday that Bustamante-Leiva was in the U.S. illegally. He has been charged with wire fraud, identity theft and robbery in connection with three similar incidents this month.
The theft in question took place when Noem was having dinner at a restaurant in downtown Washington D.C. Officials told CNN that after reviewing security camera footage they saw a white male weaking a surgical mask approach her table, steal her bag and leave the restaurant. The bag had her DHS access card, blank checks, some $3,000 in cash and her passport, among other items.
The Secret Service said Noem was not targeted because of her role in the Trump administration. Noem also said she does not believe she was targeted, saying the man "was professional in how he took it."
"This is what Americans shouldn't have to live with. It's not about me and it's not about my family, as much as it is about, you know, that people live in communities that have been going through this for many, many years," she said.
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