A new proposal in Congress would prohibit federal immigration agents from detaining or deporting U.S. citizens, following reports of wrongful arrests during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Latino communities. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) introduced the “Stop ICE from Kidnapping US Citizens Act” on Wednesday, which would impose penalties on agents who unlawfully detain Americans and place them in immigration proceedings.
The bill follows several high-profile cases, including that of Leonardo Garcia Venegas, a U.S.-born construction worker detained in Alabama, and Jose Hermosillo, an Albuquerque resident held for 10 days in an Arizona ICE facility despite claiming citizenship. In April, two U.S.-citizen children were deported to Honduras after their undocumented mother was detained.
“ICE is acting like a rogue force,” Jayapal said, arguing that wrongful detentions violate constitutional rights and disproportionately target Latino Americans. ICE raids have been reported across cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Phoenix, and Philadelphia, as well as in Texas and Central California.
A DHS spokesperson called the reports “false” and accused the media of spreading misinformation. However, Axios and Arizona Public Media found multiple credible allegations of wrongful detention since Donald Trump took office.
Despite similar efforts failing in recent budget negotiations, Jayapal’s bill highlights growing concern over ICE overreach.
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