Senate Democrats are pushing for significant reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in an effort to curb widespread dissatisfaction with the agency's actions. In recent polls, nearly half of voters say they would like to abolish ICE, while six in 10 believe the agency has gone too far.
One proposed reform involves limiting ICE's "at-large" arrests, which have increased under President Donald Trump. The agency now carries out thousands of such arrests at public places, rather than relying on transfers from state or local authorities as it did historically. Senate Democrats are calling for a requirement that ICE coordinate with state and local police before making an arrest, and revising the rules governing immigration arrest warrants.
Another key proposal is to implement a uniform code of conduct for federal immigration agents. This includes removing face coverings, wearing visible identification, and carrying body cameras. The goal is to prevent violent and abuse by enforcing de-escalation policies and mandating reporting and investigation requirements.
However, Democrats are not pushing for the abolition of ICE altogether. Instead, they aim to restrain and restrict enforcement activities through a limited number of reforms. Senator Tim Kaine has described these efforts as "a limited number of reforms that will put significant restraints on potential abuses."
One proposed reform involves limiting ICE's "at-large" arrests, which have increased under President Donald Trump. The agency now carries out thousands of such arrests at public places, rather than relying on transfers from state or local authorities as it did historically. Senate Democrats are calling for a requirement that ICE coordinate with state and local police before making an arrest, and revising the rules governing immigration arrest warrants.
Another key proposal is to implement a uniform code of conduct for federal immigration agents. This includes removing face coverings, wearing visible identification, and carrying body cameras. The goal is to prevent violent and abuse by enforcing de-escalation policies and mandating reporting and investigation requirements.
However, Democrats are not pushing for the abolition of ICE altogether. Instead, they aim to restrain and restrict enforcement activities through a limited number of reforms. Senator Tim Kaine has described these efforts as "a limited number of reforms that will put significant restraints on potential abuses."