Representative. Pramila Jaipal (D-Wash.) criticized the Trump administration following ProPublica investigation It found that more than 170 US citizens were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents this year.
“This report is absolutely shocking,” said Jayapal, the top Democrat on the subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security and Enforcement. wrote On social media platform X. “ICE does not have the authority to detain US citizens during immigration enforcement – full stop.”
He further said, “The Trump administration is out of control and violating the rights of American citizens.” “They must be held accountable.”
A ProPublica investigation published Thursday identified cases of civilians being detained by ICE agents in raids or at protests. Agents arrested about 130 US citizens and detained about two dozen for more than a day without allowing them to call lawyers or family members.
Reporters found at least three instances of pregnant people being detained and several instances of agents shooting, tasing, beating, or otherwise physically harming civilians.
ICE has the power to arrest US citizens if they interfere with or assault agents. ProPublica journalists identified 130 instances where US citizens were accused of doing so, but in about 50 the charges were dismissed or never filed.
Since entering office, Trump significantly increased The budget of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – ICE’s parent agency – to increase deportations and border enforcement.
Jaipal has already criticized Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement Operation. he introduced Legislation In July “formally barred” ICE from detaining or deporting US citizens.
“ICE is acting like an evil force, kidnapping people without due process and disappearing off the streets,” Jayapal said. Said The law was announced in a release.
“Congress must take action to make it absolutely clear, without a doubt, that ICE cannot do this and ensure that agents who act outside their authority are held accountable,” he said.
