Hispanic Caucus rejects more unconditional funding for ICE, but three of its members voted in favor
While the CHC claims to reject unconditional support for the budget bill for ICE and other agencies, three of its members voted in favor
A discursive discrepancy faces the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) regarding additional funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office, as while the leadership of that A legislative group rejects the unconditional approval of over $10 billion for the agency; three representatives have already voted in favor of the budget bill. Of the seven Democratic congressmen who voted in favor of the Homeland Security budget bill, including more resources for ICE, three are members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus: Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, both from Texas, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, from Washington state. This discord is noteworthy because on Wednesday, the Caucus members adopted “public policy proposals that should be seriously considered” in order to support the budget bill that includes all agencies of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The three actions are: 1) suspend ICE and Border Patrol immigration enforcement actions within CBP; 2) modify the use of the more than $75 billion that ICE has already received from the so-called OBBB Act, and 3) demand accountability for immigration operations.
On the first point, the Democratic congressmen also call for “ending warrantless detentions, indiscriminate arrests, and the use of militarized tactics against civilians nationwide.”
They add their support for immigration actions against individuals who pose a danger to public safety.
“[The demand] includes immediate protections against the detention or policing of US citizens and permanent residents, and an independent investigation into recent use-of-force incidents,” the CHC notes.
Regarding the multi-billion-dollar funds approved in 2025, Lawmakers are calling for the law to be prevented from being used for mass arrests and for the quotas imposed by President Donald Trump's administration to be eliminated.
“This includes independent investigations into deaths in DHS custody, investigating and ending inhumane detention conditions,eliminating arrest quotas and the use of racial profiling, prohibiting the use of children as bait, strengthening hiring and training standards, and ensuring that law enforcement focuses on real threats to public safety," they stated.
The third condition aligns with the request made by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY), who said his caucus opposes agents continuing to operate with their faces covered. The Caucus also demands "the use of body cameras, protecting sensitive locations, restricting the use of lethal force, and implementing humane standards in detention,” they stated.
Various civil rights and immigrant rights organizations, such as the American Civil Rights Union (ACLU), criticized The House's budget approval without any conditions for immigration authorities.
“The House vote in favor of excessive funding for ICE, without meaningful accountability measures, is completely out of step with polls showing that a majority of voters oppose the attacks by ICE and the Border Patrol against our communities,” lamented Kate Voigt, senior policy advisor at the ACLU.
And those who already voted?
In the January 22 election, the Democrats who supported the bill alongside Republicans are Jared Gold (Maine), Tom Suozzi (New York), Don Davis (North Carolina), Laura Gillen (New York), in addition to Gonzalez, Cuellar, and Gluesenkamp Perez.
Gonzalez represents Texas's 34th District, where 90.56% of the population is Hispanic or Latino. In 2024, Gonzalez won in a close race against Mayra Flores, but could be at risk again. Cuellar represents Texas's 28th District, where 75.78% of the population is Hispanic. This Democrat made headlines again after President Trump granted him and his wife Imelda a pardon for corruption allegations. "I hereby grant my full and unconditional pardon to dearly beloved Texas Congressman Henry Cuellar and his wife Imelda. Henry, I don't know you, but tonight you can sleep soundly: your nightmare is finally over!" Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, last December. Cuellar said he would run for reelection, but as a Democrat, although he aligned himself with Republicans on the budget bill.
Gluesenkamp Perez represents Washington State's 3rd District, which has a Hispanic population of 11.95%.
The CHC was questioned about the discrepancy in the legislative argument, but there has been no response to date.