Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Introduces Legislation to Institute Hiring Freeze at ICE

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the Freeze ICE Act to stop the rapid recruitment of unvetted individuals at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The effort comes as masked ICE agents are arresting U.S. citizens, entering homes without judicial warrants, and using excessive force against people across the country. If enacted, this bill would impose an immediate hiring freeze at the agency until Congress decides otherwise.

"Over the past year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has hired more than 12,000 new personnel but has failed to provide sufficient information about their recruitment, vetting, and training to Congress," said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. "We know that ICE has ramped up recruiting while slashing agent training from 22 weeks to just 47 days and we have seen multiple examples of errors in ICE's vetting process. As Americans across the country express deep concerns that masked federal agents are failing to meet the requirements of the Constitution for searches and seizures and engaging with the public, a hiring freeze at the agency is needed until there is accountability, transparency, and procedural reform to ensure the safety of the American people."

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Congressman Danny Davis (IL-07), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Congresswoman Fletcher as original co-sponsors of this legislation.

Last week, Congresswoman Fletcher called on Congress to rescind the $75 billion in funding that Congressional Republicans directed to ICE in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer, which enabled ICE to ramp up its mass deportation campaign. ICE is now the highest-funded U.S. law enforcement agency.