Kathy Castor

02/03/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/03/2026 16:07

Castor Stands Firmly Against the Trump Administration's ICE and CBP Brutality

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after voting 'no' on an extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
"This is a moral moment for America. After the brutal murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the widespread abuse of power by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), I cannot support one penny more for the lawless actions of the DHS."
"Trump and Republicans in Congress ripped away Medicaid, health care and support for students in the Big Ugly Bill to pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires. The Big Ugly Bill also ballooned ICE's budget with no additional accountability or oversight. Trump is expanding ICE into an unchecked paramilitary force, and its budget now exceeds all federal law enforcement agencies combined. Meanwhile DHS is building huge new detention camps and using technology to spy on and intimidate Americans. More people have died in DHS custody than ever before and children are being ripped away from parents and communities. DHS is routinely violating constitutional rights to free speech, freedom the press, due process and the right to be secure from unreasonable search and seizures. I am going to do everything I can to claw back the $191B that Republicans sent to DHS in the Big Ugly Bill, and redirect those resources to address the high cost of living.
"Last month, I voted in support of our service members, MacDill AFB, and to address high energy costs and build safer communities, but I cannot vote for a package that includes funding for DHS without policies and safeguards to protect American citizens and immigrant families from ongoing abuse. The Trump Administration continues to misuse taxpayer dollars to brutalize U.S. citizens and immigrant families, so I voted no."
"Democrats are committed to protecting our neighbors' rights to peacefully protest and uphold all Americans' constitutional rights. I am thankful for my neighbors' countless calls to hold the Administration accountable for their lawless actions."
"America needs real pathways to citizenship for people willing to work hard, pay taxes and play by the rules, and strong laws that keep our border secure from violent criminals and dangerous drugs. A path forward must include the following priorities:
  • Make body cameras mandatory and disapprove of masking, so agents are identifiable and not roving our streets like a paramilitary organization.
  • Require Judicial warrants according to due process and constitutional guarantees instead of ICE agents breaking into homes or ripping people out of cars. Reform to unlawful administrative warrants used to harass and intimidate innocent Americans.
  • Complete, independent investigations conducted to hold agents accountable who break the law or violate our rights.
  • Transparent guidelines instituted for the use of force by ICE, CBP, or other immigration enforcement officers.
Kathy Castor published this content on February 03, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 03, 2026 at 22:07 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]