Kennedy and WNY Leaders Gather to Send Clear Message: ICE Out of Our Cities

Kennedy Calls for DHS Secretary Noem's Resignation, Firing, or Impeachment Amid ICE Invasion of American Cities

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Standing alongside a broad coalition at Canisius University, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) today called for the immediate impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and a complete withdrawal of ICE agents who are spreading fear throughout immigrant communities. Citing the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti as evidence of "state-sponsored violence," Kennedy and community leaders demanded the clawing back of $75 billion in ICE funding recently authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Last week, Kennedy voted against a new funding bill for the DHS as a direct response to the ongoing violence being committed by ICE.

"ICE is not operating as a credible law enforcement agency," said Congressman Kennedy. "Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are using it as a criminal organization to terrorize our communities. This has to stop. ICE needs to get out of our cities - NOW. If Kristi Noem doesn't resign, we will impeach her. She is unfit for public office."

"For far too long, immigration has been used to divide working people against one another. We reject that division. In our union, we are immigrants - and the children and grandchildren of immigrants - and we know our strength comes from standing together," said Deborah Hayes, RN, CWA District 1 Area Director. "We stand with Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and union member, who - like so many of us - showed up every day to care for his neighbors, our veterans, and their families in their most vulnerable moments. We stand with the immigrants who built this country and who continue to do the work that keeps it running. We stand with the people of Minnesota as they stand united in solidarity.

We stand for democracy. We condemn the use of fear, intimidation, and violence to divide us or to erode our rights. An injury to one is an injury to all."

"NFJC of WNY, Inc. believes that community safety and effective enforcement must be grounded in accountability, transparency, and respect for human dignity," said Rene Petties-Jones, National Federation for Just Communities.

"The maiming and murdering of American citizens by federal agents is unacceptable. ICE is treating the bill of rights like it doesn't exist. We have seen violations of the 1st , 2nd , and 4th amendments and who knows where they will stop. It's our constitutional duty to remove these lawbreakers from power before things get any worse. Cheektowaga doesn't stand for this and I'm happy to hear the same from Congressman Kennedy," said Stephen Nowicki, Cheektowaga Councilmember.

"The conflict with Americans vs Americans in our streets is uncalled for. New leadership is needed to stop this unprecedented attack on our democracy," said Will Schulmeister, Common Council 2nd Ward Aldermen North Tonawanda, NY.

"I stand with Congressman Kennedy in calling for an end to ICE tactics that are spreading fear in communities across our country, including here in Western New York. We need enforcement that is lawful, accountable, and rooted in basic human dignity as well as proper oversight when lines are crossed," said Bridgette Myles, Niagara Falls Councilmember.

"As a US citizen, a Strong Western New Yorker, and a PROUD BUFFALONIAN, I stand in solidarity with the impeaching DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and also in stopping the cruel and extreme invasion of ICE on US citizens, legal immigrants and inhumane treatment of those who are in the country illegally. The violation of rights should not be directed and carried out under the jurisdiction of the federal government. This barbaric behavior is akin to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act which tormented and tortured many innocent African Americans. The city of Buffalo stands as a reminder that Good People Must Not Remain Silent! We must work to ensure "JUSTICE For All…. Justice For All…Justice For All,"' said Jomo Akono, Carpenters Local Union 276.

Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, "The deadly escalation of force by ICE agents in Minneapolis, resulting in the deaths of two U.S. citizens in less than three weeks, is absolutely unacceptable and deeply frightening for families across our state and country. These actions by federal agents have spread fear, eroded trust in law enforcement, and raised profound questions about the protection of civil liberties under our Constitution. The American people deserve transparency and accountability. We must ensure thorough, independent investigations are conducted in the open, that those responsible are held to account, and that systemic reforms are enacted to protect the rights and safety of all communities. Under the current leadership, none of these basic expectations are being met."

"I support Congressman Kennedy's call to end ICE's violent actions and demand accountability for the recent tragedies in Minneapolis. Our communities deserve safety and justice, and I join him in urging new leadership and real change," said Cindi M. McEachon, North District, Buffalo School Board.

"Our union denounces the cruel and inhumane attacks on immigrant families in cities around the country, and we condemn the brutal murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Good and Keith Porter, Jr. We thank Congressman Kennedy for demanding the removal of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and thank Mayor Ryan for issuing an order restricting cooperation with ICE. It is a grave threat to our democracy to allow ICE to continue with its unlawful, unconstitutional conduct. Our union stands in solidarity with immigrant workers who are valued members of our union and our community and who contribute greatly to our society. Our union was built by immigrants, and we will not stand silently by as this administration terrorizes our neighbors and separates families. In our union it is a core belief that worker rights and immigrant rights are one and the same. Corporations use the broken immigration laws to exploit vulnerable workers, and they use the broken labor laws to bust unions. Never in our country's history have solidarity, compassion and human decency been more important, and we must all speak up and act boldly and with urgency," said Gary Bonadonna Jr., Regional President, Workers United.

New York State Senator April N.M. Baskin said, "The murders of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good are unconscionable and heartbreaking. The Trump administration has waged a war on our cities, empowering federal agents to prey on the public. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem must resign or be impeached, and all those complicit must face the full consequences of our nation's laws. The actions of federal agents under President Trump and Secretary Noem make clear that no one's skin color, ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status offers protection from being targeted - as illustrated by the detention of three members of Oglala Sioux Tribe in Minneapolis. I thank Congressman Tim Kennedy for standing up for Western New York and will work with my colleagues in the state Legislature to limit ICE from attacking New Yorkers."

"We have a right to feel secure and safe in our cities and states, and not constantly be forced to live-in fear, violence, and chaos," said Ellen Harris-Harvey, President of the Trinidad Neighborhood Association. "The violence and destruction by ICE have to end. Our Nation Needs Healing and Restoration."

"The Board of Education values the safety, security, and dignity of all of our students and families," said the Members of the Buffalo Board of Education. "We stand with Congressman Kennedy in protecting our communities."

"I am appalled and disgusted by Kristie Noem's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics which can only be described as a solution searching for a problem," said Buffalo Teachers Federation President Rich Nigro. "And the abhorrent violence, lack of restraint, and unprofessionalism displayed by so many ICE agents must be a rally cry for Americans. When our government begins murdering its own citizens exercising their First Amendment right to assemble, then it's time for ALL of us to stand up in protest. Enough is enough!"

"We stand with our Congressman Tim Kennedy today, in calling for an end to ICE's reign of terror," said Bryan Ball, President Stonewall Democrats of WNY. "The violence ICE has caused, and Secretary Noem is responsible for, is reprehensible. She must resign or be impeached. We stand for justice for Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and the countless Americans being terrorized by ICE's horrific actions."

Minneapolis is currently facing a public safety crisis driven by the Trump Administration's militarized "Operation Metro Surge," which has destabilized neighborhoods and resulted in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents. This escalation has sparked widespread protests and violent retaliation by ICE. Buffalo has also been the site of aggressive federal enforcement, ranging from dragnet operations targeting commercial drivers on the Thruway to raids on Elmwood Avenue businesses that have terrorized local families. According to tracreports.org, 73.6% of current ICE detainees have no criminal conviction.

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