Ramirez Statement on Out-of-Control ICE Operations

Washington, DC—Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement:

“Want to know what happens when Trump, Republicans, and DHS leadership give ICE unlimited money, freedom from oversight, and a pass on transparency and accountability? You get chemical irritants released on a commercial corridor, mid-day, only a short distance from an Elementary School. You get schools in lockdown out of fear of ICE circling the building. You get injured neighbors taken from hospital emergency rooms. And you get duly elected public servants - my Alderperson - arrested for asking questions of ICE. I stand with Alderperson Fuentes and with all those who have the courage to stand up to authoritarianism and their terror force, ICE. 

ICE is out of control. ICE is operating with impunity outside the confines of the law. ICE is trampling our rights. ICE is terrorizing our communities. 

I have repeatedly warned that ICE’s aggressive tactics and disregard for due process were a violent escalation. Trump, Noem, and ICE are the primary instigators of violence in our communities through their unconstitutional war on Chicago. Congress must pass the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which I co-lead, to ensure that ICE stays out of our houses of worship, schools, daycare centers, parks, and hospitals. We must defund ICE. We must hold Trump, Noem and ICE accountable.