During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing held on Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Ranking Member of the committee, accused the Trump administration of misallocating critical resources to support a mass deportation agenda instead of focusing on the rising issue of organized retail theft. Durbin’s criticisms came during a session dedicated to addressing the growing threat of criminal networks and organized theft impacting U.S. retailers. He emphasized that the administration’s focus on immigration enforcement has diverted federal law enforcement resources away from combating organized theft, which he argued poses a serious threat to American businesses and consumers.
Sen. Durbin highlighted the key role played by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in combating these criminal activities, noting that the agency has been redirected under the current administration. HSI, which is responsible for investigating criminal networks, including organized retail theft, has reportedly seen its agents reassigned toward immigration enforcement tasks. According to a report cited by Durbin, HSI supervisors have waived agents off new cases to allow for more immigration arrests. This shift in focus, according to Durbin, has led to cases related to retail theft and other organized crimes being sidelined, with one veteran HSI agent stating that non-drug cases are not being prioritized and that the agency is instead ‘arresting gardeners.’ This has led Durbin to accuse the administration of failing to address critical crimes that threaten public safety and economic stability.
Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed these concerns, noting that organized retail crime is not limited to retail theft but extends to broader criminal networks, including cartels, terrorists, and human traffickers. He pointed out that these criminal organizations use such crimes to fund their operations or launder illicit proceeds, which underscores the severity of the problem. Grassley also cited a statement from Homeland Security investigators estimating that the average American family spends over $500 annually due to the impact of organized retail crime. This financial burden, he argued, is a direct consequence of the administration’s failure to address the issue effectively.
Industry representatives, such as Donna Lemm, chief strategy officer at IMC Logistics, have also sounded the alarm about the scale of the problem. Lemm shared data showing a dramatic increase in cargo theft incidents, with a staggering 17,520% jump from 2021 to 2024. She described how criminal groups are now employing sophisticated methods, including the use of drones to monitor and execute theft operations across the U.S. supply chain. The economic impact of such thefts has been estimated at billions of dollars annually, with Lemm emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent further financial losses to businesses and consumers.
These reports and testimonies from lawmakers and industry experts have prompted bipartisan calls for action. Dozens of lawmakers, including both Republicans and Democrats, have urged the Department of Homeland Security to take swift measures to address the growing threat of organized retail theft. The hearing, titled ‘Beyond the Smash and Grab: Criminal Networks and Organized Theft,’ highlighted the pressing need for collaboration between law enforcement, businesses, and policymakers to tackle this multifaceted challenge. The debate over resource allocation and its impact on public safety is expected to continue as the administration faces increasing pressure to respond to these criticisms and address the underlying issues driving organized retail crimes.