Two New York Political Leaders Demand ICE Reforms

With the activities of agents from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the last few months being in the news a lot lately, outrage has been increasing across the nation. As the US Department of Homeland Security takes a much more heavy-handed approach to law enforcement, different leaders in the nation are eyeing some changes for America's biggest law enforcement agency.

According to the American Immigration Council, ICE enforcement actions have increased by more than 75% compared to last year. As of mid-January, more than 73,000 people were held in DHS detention facilities on any given day.

While some are cheering on the increase in enforcement and arrests, many Americans are decrying the way that ICE is going about its activities.

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From entering private property without judicial warrants, potentially in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution, to agents being accused of increased government-sanctioned violence, there are two Empire State Political Leaders looking to make key reforms to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

New York's Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer Demand Rein In Their Activities

In a joint letter that was sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Majority Leader of the Senate, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and New York Senator Chuck Schumer demand that Congress make key changes to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.

For months, the American people have watched in horror as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has terrorized communities across the country. After months of escalation against everyday Americans and law-abiding immigrant families, two U.S. citizens were killed in the streets of Minneapolis. Federal immigration agents cannot continue to cause chaos in our cities while using taxpayer money that should be used to make life more affordable for working families. The American people rightfully expect their elected representatives to take action to rein in ICE and ensure no more lives are lost.
-Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer

In both the letter and in a series of interviews the duo have had, they are flexing their political muscle to push for changes that many Americans think are reasonable.

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In addition to requiring ICE agents to obtain a judicial warrant like every other law enforcement agency in America has to, Jeffries & Schumer are demanding: ICE Agents stop wearing masks like every other law enforcement agency, carry and produce their law enforcement identification like other federal agents, stop illegally racially profiling people, wear body cameras, and wear standard uniforms and equipment like other DHS officers engaging in civil law enforcement.

Most people agree that ICE should act like other law enforcement agencies in America, and they are not above the law.