01/22/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2026 18:04
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Gray voted against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill, which passed the House and now heads to the Senate. The legislation keeps funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement flat while cutting funding for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"I strongly support funding law enforcement at the national, state, and local levels," said Rep. Gray. "But this bill reflects a pattern of reckless leadership from the President that undermines effective immigration enforcement and puts both federal agents and the public at risk. We should be investing in policies that keep communities safe and ensure our immigration system functions responsibly-not doubling down on approaches that create chaos and danger."
"Border security and accountability must go hand in hand," Rep. Gray continued. "That means securing the border, enforcing the law, and holding federal agencies to clear standards so agents can do their jobs safely and professionally. Political stunts and mixed signals don't make us safer-they make enforcement harder and communities less secure."
Rep. Gray emphasized that Congress must move beyond partisan brinkmanship and advance serious, bipartisan immigration reform. He has long supported efforts such as the Dignity Act and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which strengthen border security, provide accountability, and create a lawful, reliable workforce for agriculture while offering a practical, earned path forward for long-standing immigrant workers.
"Washington doesn't need more messaging bills," Rep. Gray said. "We need bipartisan solutions that secure the border, support law enforcement, protect workers, and bring order to a broken system. That's where my focus remains."