Rep. Delia Ramirez plans to introduce a bill that would put basic limits on the use of force by law enforcement agents at the Department of Homeland Security, following the recent killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
The proposed "DHS Use of Force Oversight Act" would require DHS officers to use only objectively reasonable force and attempt to identify themselves and issue verbal warnings before using force when possible. The bill would also require the department to collect and maintain consistent data on the use of force and publish a report on its website, including data related to each incident where force was used by a law enforcement officer or agent.
Ramirez views her bill as an interim step to limit the violence the DHS has unleashed, stating that Democrats should also withhold federal funds from the department with the ultimate goal of dismantling it. She believes that the agency was designed to give officers "massive latitude" and that they use this power to label victims as domestic terrorists.
The proposed legislation has 11 co-sponsors, including Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., and is expected to face slim odds in the Republican-majority House of Representatives. However, Ramirez hopes to get support from both sides of the aisle to act swiftly.
If passed, the bill would require DHS officers to follow basic protocols for using force, which Ramirez believes would help prevent similar incidents in the future. The proposal comes as thousands of people in the Minneapolis area demand that the department leave the city and amid widespread outrage over Good's killing.
The killing of Renee Good has sparked a national conversation about police violence and accountability, with many calling for reforms to the Department of Homeland Security. Ramirez's bill is seen as an important step towards addressing these concerns, but its passage remains uncertain due to the partisan divide in Congress.
The Intercept reported extensively on excessive use of force cases by federal agents since Trump's enforcement surge, documenting a pattern of agents using tear gas, beating, and shooting less-lethal munitions against both undocumented immigrants and US citizens who spoke out against the administration's deportation machine.
The proposed "DHS Use of Force Oversight Act" would require DHS officers to use only objectively reasonable force and attempt to identify themselves and issue verbal warnings before using force when possible. The bill would also require the department to collect and maintain consistent data on the use of force and publish a report on its website, including data related to each incident where force was used by a law enforcement officer or agent.
Ramirez views her bill as an interim step to limit the violence the DHS has unleashed, stating that Democrats should also withhold federal funds from the department with the ultimate goal of dismantling it. She believes that the agency was designed to give officers "massive latitude" and that they use this power to label victims as domestic terrorists.
The proposed legislation has 11 co-sponsors, including Rep. Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., and is expected to face slim odds in the Republican-majority House of Representatives. However, Ramirez hopes to get support from both sides of the aisle to act swiftly.
If passed, the bill would require DHS officers to follow basic protocols for using force, which Ramirez believes would help prevent similar incidents in the future. The proposal comes as thousands of people in the Minneapolis area demand that the department leave the city and amid widespread outrage over Good's killing.
The killing of Renee Good has sparked a national conversation about police violence and accountability, with many calling for reforms to the Department of Homeland Security. Ramirez's bill is seen as an important step towards addressing these concerns, but its passage remains uncertain due to the partisan divide in Congress.
The Intercept reported extensively on excessive use of force cases by federal agents since Trump's enforcement surge, documenting a pattern of agents using tear gas, beating, and shooting less-lethal munitions against both undocumented immigrants and US citizens who spoke out against the administration's deportation machine.
I'm thinking, what's the point of introducing new rules if we still have a system in place that lets officers just do whatever they want? 
Like, we're trying to limit violence here, but at the same time, some people are saying it's too little, too late. 
The Intercept has been exposing all these cases where agents were using excessive force and getting away with it... it's like, what happened to accountability? 
We need real change, not just Band-Aid solutions that don't address the root of the problem. 
It's gonna be tough to get this bill passed in the House, but I guess we'll see how far Ramirez can push it... 
I mean, Renee Good was just another victim of some overzealous agent trying to silence her 
. It's wild how many people have to die before we start having a conversation about accountability 
. Who knows, maybe with some data and transparency, we can actually get a handle on the whole "excessive force" thing 
. It'd be awesome if both parties could just put their differences aside for once 
. The fact that there are already 11 co-sponsors is a good sign, but I'm not holding my breath 
. Still, it's better than nothing, and we need all the help we can get right now 
.
. I'm torn about this bill... maybe we should try it out first and see how it goes? 
- objective force only, no drama 
. Collecting data is key to stopping these systemic incidents 
. We need to make sure our law enforcement agencies are serving the people, not just following a script 
.
The whole situation with DHS is a perfect example of how our system can be broken when we give too much power to those in authority without any checks and balances 
. But, what's even more important is for us as citizens to demand change from our leaders 
. We need to hold them accountable for the harm caused by these agencies and push for systemic reforms 
. It's not just about passing a bill, it's about creating a culture of transparency and trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve 
. Let this be a lesson to us all: our power lies in our ability to raise our voices and demand change 
. The fact that these cops have to be held accountable for their actions is like, a basic human right 
. I mean Renee Good's killing was just another example of how far we've gone with giving law enforcement way too much power 
. And don't even get me started on the whole "domestic terrorist" label thing 
. That's just a cop-out excuse to silence people who are speaking out against systemic injustices 
, but they still have to overcome that Republican-majority House hurdle 
. This is a step in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go 
.
[a gif of a police officer being tazed back]
. I hope more people from both sides come together and make some noise about this 
. And btw, why is it always about DHS? Can't they just use basic protocols for using force like everyone else? 
They need training, accountability, and a fundamental shift in how they interact with ppl 
We need transparency & consistency to rebuild trust 
I gotta say, Rep. Delia Ramirez is tryin' to make a point here, even if it's a tough topic. I mean, we all know that law enforcement agencies have some serious issues when it comes to using force, and this bill is definitely a step in the right direction. But let's be real, it's not like DHS is gonna change overnight just 'cause of one bill 
Like, what if it doesn't pass? We need to make sure DHS officers are held accountable for their actions. I was in a debate class last week where we discussed police brutality and how it affects communities of color. It's crazy that this is still happening in 2025. 
My friend's cousin was stopped by the police and arrested just because he was driving with his music up. The officer said he was doing it to "teach him a lesson" but really he was just harassing him. It's ridiculous!