US Lawmakers Propose Bill to Hold ICE Accountable for Rights Violations
The measure, known as the ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act, would establish a clear legal pathway enabling lawsuits against the federal government when officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Customs and Border Protection are accused of violating constitutional rights.
Supporters of the bill argue that recent large-scale funding increases for immigration enforcement have contributed to what they describe as increasingly forceful and unlawful practices. They point to a Republican-backed funding package that allocated more than $150 billion to ICE, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security, saying it has emboldened enforcement actions under the Trump administration.
Rep. Andrea Salinas criticized current immigration enforcement practices in a statement, saying: “President (Donald) Trump’s immigration enforcers are violating our Constitutional rights."
She further alleged that the administration has "no intention" of holding ICE and CBP responsible for what she described as their "abuses of power."
Explaining the purpose of the legislation, Salinas said: "This bill would force accountability on the administration by allowing people to sue the federal government when ICE and CBP violate their rights, which deters illegal enforcement practices and prevents ICE and CBP from operating with impunity. No one is above the law, and this bill ensures that."
Sen. Jeff Merkley voiced similar concerns, accusing immigration authorities of disregarding core constitutional guarantees, including protections related to free expression and due process. He said the proposed law would equip Americans with stronger legal means to challenge misconduct by federal immigration officers.
Merkley warned of broader consequences if such actions go unchecked, stating: "If we allow Trump to continue using ICE and CBP to stoke fear and even kill innocents, we surrender the values that define us as Americans," according to his remarks.
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