From Mother Jones · Isabela Dias · · 2m
Democrats Demand Immigration Reform
Democrats vow to dismantle DHS and pass immigration reform to address Trump's policies.
In brief
Democrats vow to dismantle DHS and pass immigration reform to address Trump's policies. Democrats plan to dismantle DHS and pass comprehensive immigration reform to meet public demand for accountability and justice. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Trump's Immigration Crackdown
President Donald Trump acknowledged his immigration policies were 'too tough' and could hurt Republicans in the midterm election that gave Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
“When you go into a hotel and you have a woman that’s worked there as a maid, as a cleaner, as a this, as a that, as a waitress…and all of a sudden they’re being taken out of the country, it’s tough”
Stephen Miller's Role
Stephen Miller, Trump's new chief of staff, has been the architect of mass deportations and terror, celebrated white supremacy publicly.
“It’s very difficult for us to see the president being able to lead in that way, because so many people have felt that Stephen Miller has been president in the shadows”
Delia Ramirez's Position
Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois leads House Homeland Security subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
“It feels like gaslighting”
Accountability Push
Ramirez demands accountability for DHS and immigration enforcement overreach, targeting key figures like Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller.
“We should not be legislating based on whatever the president will or will not veto”
Immigration Reform Plan
Democrats plan to pass comprehensive immigration reform to address public demand for affordable and accountable policies.
“The ultimate goal is to dismantle [ICE], and in the interim…we need to be clawing back every dollar that was given to them”
DHS Dismantling
Ramirez introduced a bill to dismantle DHS from the inside, focusing on systemic changes and accountability.
“I introduced a bill to dismantle DHS, and I intend to dismantle DHS from the inside”
Funding Reallocation
Democrats aim to claw back funds from ICE and CBP to reinvest in healthcare, community safety, and first responders.
“We need to be clawing back every dollar that was given to them”
Public Demand
Voters delivered a blue wave rebuke of Trump's immigration policies, demanding comprehensive reform.
“The American people want to see comprehensive immigration reform”
Policy Priorities
Democrats must prioritize immigration reform to stabilize the economy and protect immigrant communities.
“We can do that, and the American people want us to prove that we will”
Accountability Targets
Ramirez targets DHS, ICE, and key figures like Kristi Noem, Markwayne Mullin, and Stephen Miller for accountability.
“It’s why I personally am pursuing the Homeland Security Oversight Subcommittee gavel”
Continuing Resolution
Democrats aim to create an amendment in the CR to claw back ICE funding and redirect it to critical services.
“If we’re not able to get that done in the CR process before the year’s over, that [should] be a top priority of the new speaker in the first 100 days”
Immigration Reform Benefits
Immigration reform could double federal revenue, lift the workforce, and help children in trauma recover.
“How you can double the amount of federal revenue we get in taxes if we pass immigration reform”
Democratic Mandate
Democrats have a mandate to address immigration reform and stand up for immigrants as they did for abortion rights.
“We can do that in this country and be successful”
Next Steps
Democrats must pass comprehensive immigration reform to meet public demand and dismantle DHS.
“We have to be willing to use our power”
The key point
Democrats plan to dismantle DHS and pass comprehensive immigration reform to meet public demand for accountability and justice.
