Find resources and information about your rights when interacting with federal immigration enforcement agents here.
As immigration patterns change over time, Congress must review our immigration policies to ensure that they meet our evolving needs as a nation, allow us to regulate traffic across our borders, and add to the rich diversity of our nation.
I strongly believe we should streamline legal immigration and promote naturalization for those who qualify, including parents of U.S. citizens, young people who have been in the U.S. for at least five years, and students and entrepreneurs, while also keeping families together who have lived in the United States for years.
It is well past time that we re-examine our immigration process to ensure that those who want to immigrate legally have the opportunity to do so, while protecting the rights of American workers, defending our national security, and enforcing the laws that are already in place.
I am disgusted that Republicans in Congress—who hold majorities in the House and Senate—have thus far refused to rein in the chaos and terror caused by the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda. I remain committed to using every available tool at my disposal to demand an immediate end to the Administration’s illegal tactics and accountability for those responsible.
On January 14, I joined more than 80 Democrats in bringing Articles of Impeachment against Kristi Noem. Her falsehoods, incompetence, and moral failings undermine the protections she swore to uphold, and she needs to be removed from office.
I have also voted against H.R. 1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which includes more than $170 billion in additional funding for immigration and border-enforcement related activities, including $45 billion to operate ICE detention centers and $30 billion to hire additional ICE agents.
As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I am working with my colleagues to restrict funding for ICE and claw back the funding approved for the DHS in H.R. 1. I have fought to include provisions in spending bills to limit the duration of future detention facility contracts, prohibit the detention or removal of DACA recipients, and prohibit ICE and CBP from conducting raids at sensitive locations, among other measures.
As always, my team is ready to help however we can. Whether you’re trying to track down a loved one detained by ICE, need help with a federal agency, or are simply a concerned neighbor—please don’t hesitate to contact my office.
Bills I have cosponsored in the 119th Congress:
H.R. 1061, Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, Rep. Espaillat (D-N.Y.): would codify the policy that ICE and CBP cannot take enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of protected areas including: medical or mental healthcare facilities, child care and early education sites, schools and universities, places where children gather, disaster and emergency response sites, domestic violence shelters, places of worship, courthouses, and public assistance offices. The bill also requires that ICE and CBP personnel receive training on carrying out enforcement activities.
H.R. 2129, No Round Up Act, Rep. Jayapal (D-Wash.): would repeal the 1940 law on which the new system is based to ensure that no president can weaponize this defunct statute.
H.R. 4176, No Secret Police Act, Rep. Goldman (D-N.Y.): This bill amends section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require officers from the Department of Homeland Security to display their department’s official insignia or uniform and prohibits the use of any face coverings without limiting the use of tactical gear. Additionally, the Secretary for Science and Technology must conduct research and continue developing technology that ensures different locations, times of day and weather circumstances don’t impact the visibility of officers’ identification.
H.R. 4004, No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act, Rep. Velazquez (D-N.Y.): This bill requires I.C.E. agents wear garments that explicitly identify their name and affiliation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prohibits the use of facial coverings, with exceptions for agents required to wear protective gear for safety or medical purposes or agents responding to an imminent threat or serious bodily harm. However, if an exception is used, supervisors are required to document and review the use within 48 hours to determine if it was appropriate or if disciplinary review is needed. Additionally, a yearly report containing any disciplinary action or complaints must be submitted to Congress.
H.R. 4298, ICE Badge Visibility Act, Rep. Meng (D-N.Y.): This bill amends section 287 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to require all I.C.E agents to visibly display their badge number, badge, and department affiliation when questioning, arresting, or detaining people.
H.R. 2760, Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, Rep. Jayapal (D-Wash.): The bill enacts critical reforms that eliminate the profit motive to detain people, ensure due process in custody decisions, increase oversight, and establish real alternatives to detention.
H.R. 6389, Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act, Rep. Goldman (D-N.Y.): The bill would exempt unaccompanied children from onerous fees on the pursuit of potentially life-saving humanitarian protection; eliminate the fee for SIJ children; repeals the funds used to return children without review by an immigration judge; repeal funding for traumatic body examinations of children in CBP custody; and prohibits ORR from using funding to share information on sponsors of unaccompanied children for purposes of immigration enforcement.
H.R. 5941, Restoring Access for Detainees Act, Rep. Dexter (D-Wash.): The bill would codify the right for detainees to call their families when they are detained or transferred to a new facility; give them the opportunity to find legal counsel while in custody, and to communicate confidentially with existing oversight entities.
H.R. 6497, Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act, Rep. Vargas (D-Calif.): The bill would prevent inexperienced temporary immigration judge appointments in light of the Trump Administration’s abuse of loopholes in current regulations.
H.R. 924, NO BAN Act, Rep. Chu (D-Calif.): The bill would provide that the Immigration and Nationality Act nondiscrimination provisions apply to religion, as well as to the issuance of non-immigrant visas and benefits; require that any travel restriction imposed under Immigration and Nationality Act be based on specific and credible facts, and in a way narrowly tailored to address a compelling government interest; and establish procedural requirements including notice to Congress within 48 hours and periodic reporting.
H.R. 5973, Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, Rep. Goldman (D-N.Y.): The bill places strict limitations on immigration enforcement’s ability to be equipped with tear gas, flash bangs, and pepper balls; allows force to be used only when no alternative exists and includes additional requirements that personnel exercise force proportionally; and requires greater transparency by limiting the use of masks, requiring clear uniforms, and implementing mandatory use of body cameras.
H.R. 5653, Trust Through Transparency Act, Rep. Norcross (D-N.J.): The legislation would require all immigration enforcement officials to wear and operate body cameras during public-facing immigration enforcement actions. It would also require DHS to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of immigration enforcement actions, instances of noncompliance and any resulting disciplinary actions, and publishes on the DHS website.
H.Res.996 - Impeaching Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors, Rep. Kelly (D-Ill.): The articles are for Obstruction of Congress, Violation of Public Trust, and Self-Dealing.
Amicus Briefs I have signed onto:
Centro de Trabajadores Unidos v. Bessent: This brief challenges the IRS-ICE data sharing agreement
Haitian TPS: The brief argues that Congress has a clear interest in preserving TPS and that the termination of TPS for Hatians will be harmful to the economy.
Support for TPS Programs: The Trump Administration has asked the Supreme Court to intervene a second time to help its bid to end deportation protections for Venezuelans through the TPS program. Roughly 300,000 Venezuelans are in the U.S. through the program. The Plaintiffs argue that DHS lacks the authority to vacate a prior TPS extension, and that Secretary Noem’s decision to do so specifically for Haiti and Venezuela are racially motivated.
