Rep. Norma Torres Introduces Amendment to Protect Americans' First Amendment Rights and Privacy

Rep. Norma Torres Introduces Amendment to Protect Americans' First Amendment Rights and Privacy

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced a series of amendments to the fiscal year 2027 Homeland Security Appropriations bill aimed at protecting Americans' constitutional rights, strengthening congressional oversight, and prioritizing community safety over mass deportation efforts.

Among the amendments, Torres proposed preventing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from collecting biometric information, including DNA, from United States citizens exercising their First Amendment rights.

There have been numerous reports of ICE agents detaining peaceful protestors for the apparent purpose of taking DNA samples. And in January, White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced that he is "pushing for" the federal government to create a "database" of people arrested during demonstrations against ICE. On Jan. 23, an anti-ICE protester captured an ICE agent on video explaining that he was taking pictures of the protester's car, "'cause we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist. So have fun with that."

"Americans should never have to fear that exercising their constitutional rights will result in the government collecting and storing their DNA or other biometric information," said Congresswoman Torres. "The First Amendment protects our right to speak, assemble, worship, and petition our government. Taking DNA from American citizens who haven't committed a crime is an intimidation tactic designed to keep people from speaking out, and it is deeply un-American. No administration should be allowed to build databases on Americans simply because they chose to exercise their constitutional rights. This amendment will protect Americans' privacy and stop the Trump Administration from again attacking our constitutional freedoms."

In addition to the biometric privacy amendment, Torres introduced an amendment to:

Redirect ICE Enforcement Funding to Assistance to Firefighters Grants

• Rescind funding designated for a DHS slush fund and redirect those resources to Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program that help fire fighters and other emergency response personnel get the training and support they need to better protect the public.

"Congress has a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight, particularly when serious concerns are raised about conditions inside DHS facilities," Torres continued. "At the same time, communities across California and the nation need investments in emergency response. We should be investing in the programs that keep our communities safe, not expanding enforcement efforts at the expense of those priorities."

The amendments reflect Congresswoman Torres' continued commitment to protecting civil liberties, defending congressional oversight authority, and ensuring federal resources are used to strengthen communities rather than undermine constitutional rights.

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