By: Ashmar Mandou

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), alongside Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), introduced the Melt ICE Act in an effort to end the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) funding to detain or monitor immigrants. The legislation comes amid a national call to rein in ICE funding and as Congress announced an appropriations bill to fund DHS that includes $3.84 billion for ICE custody operations and boosts Enforcement and Removal Operations funding to $5.45 billion.

“After handing more than $150B to DHS immigration enforcement, there are those in Congress who would further expand DHS’s budget and ICE’s capacity to enact Trump’s mass deportation agenda. But we have seen what DHS can do with its unlimited resources and unchecked power. And we are saying enough,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “Our tax dollars must not be used to terrorize our communities and violate our rights. The Melt ICE Act is a line in the sand and a declaration that we will not fuel human suffering. I am proud to join Congresswoman Clarke and advocates to send a message that we do not consent, nor will we enable DHS and ICE’s lawlessness.”

The Melt ICE Act comes on the heels of the Trump Administration’s expanded mass deportation agenda, DHS’s immigration enforcement, including ICE, has received broad criticism for its violent tactics, lack of transparency, and disruption of Congressional oversight, according to Congresswoman Ramirez. The Melt ICE Act is also in response to the interaction between an immigration law officer and protestor Renee Nicole Good, which resulted in her death early January during a protest in Minnesota.

“Any realistic effort to rein in ICE and DHS’s lawlessness should start with the blank check they have enjoyed since Donald Trump retook power. For one painful year now, these rogue entities have engaged in an unrestrained crusade of cruelty against our migrant neighbors and the places they call home. This unacceptable status quo cannot continue,” said Rep. Yvette D. Clarke. “The Melt ICE Act is a bold solution that will inhibit this administration’s ability to conduct its sadistic immigration enforcement strategy, while also giving back to our most vulnerable communities using the very funds once used to brutalize them. Congress has a moral and ethical responsibility to stop the taxpayer-funded chaos running rampant through our districts, and that why I am privileged to stand with Congresswoman Ramirez against the unlimited terror of DHS and ICE, and for the rights, freedom, and futures of immigrant Americans.” The legislation was written in collaboration and is endorsed by United We Dream and Detention Watch Network.  The key provisions of the Melt ICE Act would

1. Strikes all references to/authority for immigration detention in the INA: Sections 236(a), 236(c), 235(b), 241(a)

2. Terminates all existing contracts for immigration detention within 2 years of enactment, including but not limited to contracts with public entities, private entities, and any other entities that own or operate a program or facility that provides for non-residential detention-related activities for immigrants who are subject to monitoring by DHS. 

3. Prevents DHS from entering into any new contracts with any entity for facilities to detain immigrants. 

4. Requires DHS to submit a plan to get immigrants off ankle monitors within 6 months of enactment. 

5. Redirects ICE funding to community-based organizations to provide wrap-around services to communities around the country.