Jayapal, Raskin Demand Answers on Officers in CBP, ICE Involved Shootings

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, and Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, are demanding answers on a slew of shootings by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents. Information on some of these agents has raised concerns about their violent backgrounds and inappropriate actions following the shootings, including lying about the circumstances and even bragging about using lethal force.

"This pattern of deeply disturbing conduct from DHS officers and agents prior to or immediately following the shootings they committed is of great concern," wrote the Members. "DHS received more than $210 billion from taxpayers for immigration enforcement. It owes the taxpayers and this Congress transparency and accountability for what it is doing with our money. DHS has claimed its officers are striving to protect public safety, yet instead they are unleashing deadly force on our streets. We deserve to know exactly who DHS is arming up and sending out into American communities, especially once they have shot, injured, and even killed American citizens and their loved ones."

Since President Trump took office in January 2025, DHS agents have shot at least 25 people and killed six of them, including three U.S. citizens.

In the case of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis in Minnesota, Christian Castro, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who shot Mr. Sosa-Celis, was federally indicted for making false statements, and arrested on state charges of assault and false reporting of a crime after he claimed Mr. Sosa-Celis attacked him.

Federal prosecutors were forced to drop charges against Marimar Martinez, a woman who was shot five times by ICE. Charles Exum, the Border Patrol agent who shot her, falsely claimed she had attacked him. Following the shooting, Exum bragged about shooting Ms. Martinez in the back.

Johan Sebastián Guerrero was shot in Maine by David Brouillette, an ICE officer with a history of violence and disturbing domestic abuse allegations. And Oscar Bengal was shot while his five-year-old son was in the car by ICE officer Brendan Cuni, who is involved in multiple use-of-force lawsuits, including one alleging he tased someone six times while they were handcuffed and on the ground.

The Members are requesting detailed information on any DHS agents involved in shootings, including their roles, length of service, and any disciplinary actions against them by DHS during their tenure.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Issues: Immigration, Public Safety & Criminal Justice