WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, issued the following statement after voting against another bill to fund Donald Trump’s out-of-control Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP):
“ICE and CBP don’t need more money; they need to be held accountable. Donald Trump and Republicans want Americans to forget about their lawless immigration roundup, but we won’t.
“Two U.S. citizens gunned down in broad daylight by ICE and CBP officers and agents. Eight people already dead in ICE custody in the last six weeks alone. Thousands of others — immigrants and American citizens alike — indiscriminately shot at, assaulted, and detained with no respect for the Constitution or due process. Young children detained, malnourished, and mistreated. Enough is enough.
“I’m a firm NO vote on more funding for ICE and CBP, only for accountability. We cannot let Donald Trump’s out-of-control ICE and CBP continue to wreak havoc in communities across America with no regard for public safety or the rule of law.”
Senator Padilla has been a leading voice in opposition to President Trump’s cruel and indiscriminate mass deportation agenda, including against his unprecedented, illegal militarization of Los Angeles and other American cities like Minneapolis. Late last month, Padilla spoke on the Senate floor to hold the line against any additional funding for President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the brutal killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by ICE and CBP officers and agents. He also voted “no” against funding ICE and CBP’s lawless and reckless actions. Additionally, Padilla joined leading immigration advocates and interfaith leaders at an “ICE Out for Good” rally and vigil to condemn the Trump Administration’s abuses against American communities and to demand ICE and CBP leave Minnesota after Good’s killing. At a bicameral spotlight forum last week, Padilla denounced DHS agents’ violent tactics and disproportionate use of force as they enact President Trump’s mass deportation agenda in American cities.
Last year, Senators Padilla and Blumenthal introduced the Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act to allow individuals — regardless of citizenship — the right to sue federal law enforcement officers and agencies in civil court for violations of their civil and constitutional rights.