Additional Coverage:
Homeland Security Officials Face Grilling Over Tactics Amid Fatal Shootings and Funding Deadline
Washington D.C. – The heads of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) appeared before the House Homeland Security Committee on Tuesday, facing intense scrutiny over their agents’ tactics during arrests and deportations.
The hearing comes amidst public outcry following two fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis last month, claiming the lives of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed concerns, with Democrats directly accusing immigration officials of perpetrating “great evil” and operating outside constitutional bounds. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL) asserted that officials have “empowered and defended lawlessness,” while Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) suggested that if agencies “don’t want to be called a fascist regime or secret police, then stop acting like one.” A video shown by Representative Seth Magaziner (D-RI) depicting a family being pepper-sprayed in their car further fueled these criticisms, with CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott admitting that aiming pepper spray into a moving vehicle is not proper procedure.
In their defense, agency leaders pointed to escalating threats and violence against their personnel. Todd Lyons, Acting Director of ICE, cited an “8000 percent increase” in death threats and a “1400 percent increase” in assaults on officers in fiscal year 2025.
He recounted an incident where an officer in Minnesota had his finger bitten off by a protester. Commissioner Scott also stated that officers are facing “unprecedented levels of aggressive interference and intimidation.”
However, Democrats countered that such incidents are a consequence, not a cause, of the agencies’ actions. Ranking Democrat Bennie Thompson (D-MS) highlighted that “only 14 percent of those arrested by ICE had violent criminal records,” challenging the administration’s claims.
The hearing also touched upon the looming deadline for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, which expires Friday night. While ICE and CBP currently have funding, a shutdown would leave 95% of DHS employees working without pay.
Negotiations for a short-term funding bill are underway, with Senate Democrats pushing for “real reform” and “codified changes in law” as a condition for their support. Republicans, meanwhile, are urging for a deal to avoid holding federal employees hostage.
A key point of contention for Republicans is increased cooperation from local and state officials, particularly in “sanctuary cities.” Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has even proposed making it a federal crime for local officials who resist working with ICE. However, the constitutionality and feasibility of such a proposal are highly questionable.
Another hearing with ICE and CBP officials is scheduled for Thursday, led by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee. Senator Paul has indicated that if agency leaders do not admit errors, they “are in for a very tough time.” He also suggested that a public admission of mistakes from the Trump administration would aid negotiations.
As the Friday deadline approaches, the future of DHS funding and the potential for ICE reforms remain uncertain. While there are “more ways out of this one than I have seen in a while,” the stark divisions between lawmakers highlight the deep-seated challenges in addressing immigration enforcement and policy.