New Bill Seeks to Hold ICE, CBP Responsible for Rights Violations

(MENAFN) US lawmakers have unveiled legislation aimed at ensuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are held responsible for violating constitutional rights.

On Monday, Representative Andrea Salinas and Senator Jeff Merkley introduced the ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act. The bill would create a clear legal path for individuals to sue the federal government when officers from these agencies infringe upon constitutional protections.

The Oregon Democrats argued that funding measures under the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act—which allocated over $150 billion to ICE, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security for immigration enforcement—have facilitated what they describe as aggressive and abusive practices under the Trump administration.

“President (Donald) Trump’s immigration enforcers are violating our Constitutional rights," Salinas said. She added that the administration has "no intention" of holding ICE and CBP accountable for their "abuses of power."

"This bill would force accountability on the administration by allowing people to sue the federal government when ICE and CBP violate their rights, which deters illegal enforcement practices and prevents ICE and CBP from operating with impunity. No one is above the law, and this bill ensures that," Salinas continued.

Merkley echoed these concerns, stating that federal immigration agents have undermined constitutional protections, including free speech and due process rights. "If we allow Trump to continue using ICE and CBP to stoke fear and even kill innocents, we surrender the values that define us as Americans," he said. The senator emphasized that the legislation would equip Americans with legal tools to hold the federal government accountable for misconduct by immigration officers.

MENAFN03022026000045017640ID1110686994