Torres Introduces Amendments to Force Transparency and Congressional Oversight on ICE and CBP

Torres Introduces Amendments to Force Transparency and Congressional Oversight on ICE and CBP

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) announced three transparency amendments to the latest reconciliation package that would rein in abusive practices by ICE. The measures place strict accountability requirements on Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The legislative push comes as House Republicans attempt to increase funding for ICE and CBP by approximately$70 billion, bringing their total funding level to $210 billion, while omitting the accountability measures demanded by three in four Americans. Rep. Torres' amendments establish clear rules to ensure these taxpayer-funded agencies operate with public and congressional scrutiny.

"Right now, everyday families are struggling to put food on their tables, yet House Republicans are focused on giving a $70 billion blank check to enforcement agencies with zero accountability or reform," said Congresswoman Torres. "Taxpayers have a right to know exactly what happens during critical incidents and inside detention facilities. If these agencies are going to receive billions of dollars in hard-earned taxpayer dollars, they must be held to strict standards of transparency, and these amendments ensure they are answerable to Congress and the American people. I'm disappointed my Republican colleagues refused to make these common sense amendments in order. "

Rep. Torres' amendments would have established clear, non-negotiable guardrails to ensure that taxpayer-funded agencies are held accountable:

• The Body Camera and Critical Incident Transparency Amendment: Requires CBP and ICE to publicly release body-worn camera or other relevant video footage of any agency-involved shooting within 30 days of the incident. Currently, this critical footage can be withheld for months or years. This amendment ensures evidence cannot be hidden, and applies similar standards of timely accountability expected of local law enforcement.

• The Detainee Hunger Strike Notification Amendment: Mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immediately report to Congress whenever any individual in immigration detention goes on a hunger strike. This action follows Rep. Torres' recent firsthand investigation into detention conditions. Current federal guidelines allow agencies to obscure the scope of internal protests. This amendment cuts through that bureaucratic red tape, forcing DHS to directly answer to lawmakers.

• Congressional Oversight of Immigration Detention Facilities. Prevents the Department from blocking congressional oversight over immigration detention facilities, ensuring access to facilities. This amendment follows a June 2025 incident at the Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles, where ICE personnel unlawfully locked out a peaceful congressional delegation and deployed chemical agents, causing injuries that required emergency medical attention for Representative Torres. This measure guarantees that federal agencies cannot use force or bureaucratic red tape to evade constitutional accountability.

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