Welch says no more $$ for ICE
By VDC staff
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday accused U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration agencies of operating outside the law and called on Congress to block additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Also, Sen. Peter Welch pledged to not support more funding for ICE. And, Rep. Becca Balint is scheduled to hold a press conference today at 11 AM at the State House; VDC will be there to report.
In a statement released by his Burlington office, Sanders said ICE is “out of control, ignoring the law and our Constitution,” and urged lawmakers to vote against any new appropriations for DHS.
Sanders outlined a series of actions he says Congress and the administration must take to curb abuses by federal immigration authorities:
– Block any additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security
Remove ICE, CBP and other federal immigration forces from Minnesota and Maine
– End warrantless arrests and prohibit stops based on race or language
End qualified immunity for ICE and CBP agents
– Require ICE and CBP agents to be unmasked and clearly identified
End detention and deportation of U.S. citizens
– Investigate and prosecute DHS officers who break the law, and require DOJ and DHS cooperation with state and local investigations
– Repeal billions in funding for ICE and CBP and redirect the money to health care
– Impose strict national standards on detention centers and hold them accountable for human rights abuses
Noem makes ICE ‘shock troop,” Welch says – Welch said he will vote against any government funding package that provides additional funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing that under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the agency has shifted from focused immigration enforcement to an aggressive force that “terrorizes our communities.” He tied his opposition to recent controversial actions by ICE and federal agents, particularly in Minnesota, and called for accountability and a change in leadership rather than more money.
Notable quote from Welch: “What she’s doing is turning the function of immigration enforcement away from enforcement and into being kind of a shock troop that goes into cities and acts with impunity.”