Congressman Robert Garcia Reintroduces the ICE Security Reform Act to Establish Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as Stand-Alone Agency

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) announced the reintroduction of the ICE Security Reform Act in the 119th Congress, a bill to restructure Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by elevating Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), currently a directorate within ICE, to the status of an independent law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security. This reform would allow HSI to focus on public safety, law enforcement, and national security missions independently from ICE, with increased oversight and accountability. ICE would continue to operate as a smaller agency. This legislation comes as the Trump administration threatens to expand their mass deportation agenda to target undocumented residents without criminal records, including conducting raids at schools, hospitals, and places of worship. The bill text can be found here.

“The Department of Homeland Security should focus on their mission to protect public safety, rather than attacking long term residents who contribute to our communities. Our reforms will help advance that critical objective, by dedicating HSI to their real mission: disrupting trafficking and international crime. We will increase oversight and accountability and make sure that these agencies live up to our values,” said Congressman Garcia. “I will always fight for the critical reforms that make our agencies more efficient and that make our country safer.”

Congressman Garcia remains committed to reforming our immigration system, creating fair pathways to citizenship, and treating immigrants with respect and dignity. In July 2024, Congressman Garcia introduced the SHIELD Act, which allocated grants through the Attorney General and the Department of Justice to local and state governments to support the recruitment of staff and attorneys to ensure that immigrants receive quality, affordable representation in immigration court. As the Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, Congressman Garcia has led investigations into fundamental integrity and credibility issues within the DHS, including identifying what actions have been taken to address the threat of domestic violent extremism within the DHS. Congressman Garcia has also defended humane immigration procedures and condemned extreme rhetoric on immigration and border security that dehumanizes migrants legally seeking asylum. Congressman Garcia has also investigated the use of inappropriate language and behavior among Border Patrol agents within ICE toward immigrants following reports from the Huffington Post. Congressman Garcia also continues to champion legislation that increases resources and efficiencies for vital government departments and agencies.

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