Rep. Vasquez Opposes $70 Billion Blank Check for ICE with No Guardrails, Demands Answers and Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 9, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) remained firm in his calls for reform and accountability at ICE, rejecting MAGA extremists' latest request for another $70 billion blank check for ICE through the budget reconciliation process.

"Last summer, ICE got a $75 billion blank check with no spending guardrails, and we all saw how those taxpayer funds were used - to terrorize folks without accountability, infringe on civil rights across the country, and murder American citizens in the streets," said Vasquez. "I have visited ICE detention centers across my district and seen firsthand how masked agents are using violent tactics to fill these facilities with detainees, the vast majority of whom have no criminal record. This does nothing to make our country safer, is an abuse of taxpayer funds, and goes against our American values. I cannot in good conscience vote to grant the agency another $70 billion blank check without guardrails, oversight, and reforms."

Rep. Vasquez also reiterated his demand that ICE answer questions he submitted after his Congressional Oversight visit at Camp East Montana on April 6.

During the Congressman's visit to the ICE detention facility on April 6, ICE refused to answer many of his questions, and detainees reported limited access to health care (including the withholding of medications), insufficient food containing little to no protein, a lack of access to personal care products (like shampoo), forced sleep deprivation, poor sanitation, and verbal abuse from facility guards.

Following the visit, on April 9, Rep. Vasquez sent a list of Congressional Oversight questions (including the questions below, among others) to ICE's Office of Congressional Relations for a response. Despite repeated follow up by the Congressman's staff on April 21 and May 18, ICE has still failed to provide the answers New Mexicans deserve, despite two months having passed since the visit took place. This lack of a response is particularly concerning after reports emerged on June 4 that ICE is taking internal steps to narrow its reporting requirements for detainee deaths and questions remain about a possible fourth unreported detainee death that occurred at Camp East Montana in March 2026. Additionally, on June 9, the Government Accountability Office published a new report detailing serious issues at Camp East Montana, including the loss or destruction of evidence tied to a homicide at the facility and the waste of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds.

"As a member of Congress, it's my duty to conduct Congressional Oversight visits and get my constituents the answers they deserve," said Vasquez. "It is unacceptable that two months after my oversight visit, ICE has still failed to answer my questions, and this is yet another example of why we desperately need more ICE oversight and accountability. I'm calling on Secretary Mullin to provide basic answers to members of Congress."

Among Rep. Vasquez's questions that ICE has refused to answer are the following:

• Can you confirm that no fourth death happened at the facility on or around March 23 in the E unit? Can you confirm that no detainee was transferred to the hospital in critical condition on or around March 23 from the E unit?
• On April 6, 2026, what percent of detained individuals at Camp East Montana had criminal records (not including any civil immigration violations)?
• Can you detail the number of medical staff hired under the previous and under the new contract and include job title?
• When the Congressman's staff asked about use of force policies at Camp East Montana, ICE officials referred us to ICE's use of force policy. Can you please provide this policy?
• Can you please provide a description as to why the autopsy following the third death in custody at Camp East Montana was handled by the Department of Defense, rather than county officials?
• What mechanisms are in place to ensure that detainees are being fed, receiving timely medical attention and have dignified access to bathing and hygiene?
• Why has ICE not opened a commissary so detainees' families can purchase them more food?
• What is the longest stay of a detainee at this facility? How many previous detention facilities had this detainee been in prior to Camp East Montana?
• During the visit it was shared that all the grievances submitted by detainees are kept. The Congressman asked for a copy of all the grievance forms that have been submitted at Camp East Montana. Can you provide these grievance forms?

In addition to demanding answers to these oversight questions, Rep. Vasquez has continued to call for commonsense reforms to ICE, including:

• Requiring all DHS agents to remove masks and wear body cameras to ensure transparency, identification, and accountability;
• Mandating independent investigations into DHS violations of use of force;
• Ending reckless mass raids that unlawfully detain, endanger, and kill American citizens; and
• Guaranteeing safe, humane conditions in detention, including medical care, legal access, and basic human dignity

This vote and push for answers builds on Rep. Vasquez's longstanding record of working to build an immigration system that keeps our country safe while living up to our American values:

• On April 29, Rep. Vasquez stood firm in his call for reforms at the Department of Homeland Security and voted against a resolution that would set the stage for the agency to receive a $70 billion blank check for violent immigration enforcement activities without offsets, guardrails, or reforms.
• In the wake of an ICE agent's killing of Renee Nicole Good - an American citizen and young mother of three - the Congressman led the call for Secretary Noem's impeachment, citing her mismanagement of ICE, failure to support communities like Ruidoso following natural disasters, and improper use of taxpayer funds. He was one of the first 20 Democratic lawmakers to do so.
• The Congressman introduced the Humane Accountability Act, a bill that calls for greater transparency and accountability around immigrant detention and removals by requiring detailed reporting on assaults, deaths, complaints, and other treatment of detainees to Congress.
• Rep. Vasquez voted against the Republican tax law, which granted DHS a $150 billion blank check to pay for mass detentions and deportations, including of American citizens.
• Following the passage of the Republican tax law, Rep. Vasquez led a group of lawmakers from border communities in demanding transparency and accountability around how DHS will spend more than $150 billion in newly allocated taxpayer dollars. The letter to DHS also outlined detailed spending recommendations to ensure DHS allocates funds in a manner that provides American taxpayers a return on their investment by prioritizing public safety, efficiency, and American values.
• The Congressman is leading both parties forward with the New American Immigration Plan, a commonsense immigration plan to secure our borders, boost the U.S. economy, and expand legal pathways - all while living up to our American values.

###