Bell Calls to Block ICE from Using Taxpayer Funds on Propaganda Ads

Washington, D.C.-Today, U.S. Representative Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) introduced the No ICE Ads Act, legislation that would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from obligating or expending funds to produce, purchase, distribute, or broadcast television advertisements intended to promote U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), recruit ICE personnel, or enhance ICE's public image or branding.

"The last thing Americans' hard-earned tax dollars should fund is hype videos for ICE," said Rep. Bell. "That money could be going to real needs in St. Louis-health care, housing, and help with the cost of groceries. Instead, it's being spent on misleading propaganda meant to paper over the chaos and unconstitutional behavior coming out of a rogue agency. The American people have already seen who ICE is. No commercial is going to change that."

Ahead of this year's Super Bowl, expected to be one of the most watched events of the year, single commercial slots have reportedly sold for between $8 and $10 million. At the same time, Republicans have handed ICE a blank check through their "One Big Ugly Bill," allowing Secretary Noem to spend taxpayer dollars on reckless, misleading, and offensive commercials designed to recruit for and promote ICE and its tactics.

Original co-sponsors of the bill include Reps. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), and Andre Carson (D-In.).

Read the full bill here.

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