Key facts
- Rep. Ilhan Omar is introducing the Make ICE Pay Act.
- The bill would block nearly $140 billion in funding for ICE and CBP.
- Funds would be redirected to local recovery efforts, non-profits, and small businesses.
- Omar stated ICE has conducted "racist terror campaigns" causing damage to cities and lives.
- Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis reportedly cost the community nearly $700 million.
- ICE arrests reached 49,571 in July, a 15% increase from June.
Representative Ilhan Omar is set to introduce legislation that would redirect significant federal funding away from immigration enforcement agencies and towards communities impacted by their operations. The Make ICE Pay Act, due to be introduced on Thursday, aims to block nearly $140 billion designated for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under President Donald Trump's initiatives.
Omar stated that ICE has been conducting "racist terror campaigns" that have caused substantial damage to cities, businesses, and individuals. She cited Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, which she claims cost the community nearly $700 million, as an example of such abuse of power. The bill seeks to force ICE to "pay the price" for the damage caused and prevent similar operations from recurring.
The legislation would redirect the blocked funds to states, local government authorities, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses that have been affected by immigration enforcement crackdowns. Grants could be used for economic relief, operational expense reimbursement, educational assistance, and psychosocial support for impacted individuals. The measure also includes provisions for official investigations, record-keeping, truth-telling, and memorialization projects, to be administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development's inspector general over three years.
The move comes as ICE arrests have seen a sharp increase, reaching 49,571 in July, a 15% rise from June and a 70% increase from February. This surge occurred despite assurances from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during his confirmation hearings about a more moderate enforcement approach. Public opinion on federal immigration agencies has also shown a negative trend, with a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris survey indicating 47% of Americans view ICE unfavorably.