Ramirez, Clarke Unveil Legislation to Defund ICE, the Melt ICE Act

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), joined by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), introduced the Melt ICE Act to end the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) funding to detain or monitor immigrants, crippling DHS's immigration enforcement. At a time when working families are facing a crushing affordability crisis, the legislation would also redirect funding toward wrap-around services, including housing and healthcare, for communities affected by immigration enforcement.

The legislation comes amid a national call to rein in ICE funding and as Congress announced an appropriations bill to fund DHS that includes $3.84 billion for ICE custody operations and boosts Enforcement and Removal Operations funding to $5.45 billion.

"After handing more than $150B to DHS immigration enforcement, there are those in Congress who would further expand DHS's budget and ICE's capacity to enact Trump's mass deportation agenda. But we have seen what DHS can do with its unlimited resources and unchecked power. And we are saying enough," said Congresswoman Ramirez."Our tax dollars must not be used to terrorize our communities and violate our rights. The Melt ICE Act is a line in the sand and a declaration that we will not fuel human suffering. I am proud to join Congresswoman Clarke and advocates to send a message that we do not consent, nor will we enable DHS and ICE's lawlessness."

"Any realistic effort to rein in ICE and DHS's lawlessness should start with the blank check they have enjoyed since Donald Trump retook power. For one painful year now, these rogue entities have engaged in an unrestrained crusade of cruelty against our migrant neighbors and the places they call home. This unacceptable status quo cannot continue," said Rep. Yvette D. Clarke."The Melt ICE Act is a bold solution that will inhibit this administration's ability to conduct its sadistic immigration enforcement strategy, while also giving back to our most vulnerable communities using the very funds once used to brutalize them. Congress has a moral and ethical responsibility to stop the taxpayer-funded chaos running rampant through our districts, and that why I am privileged to stand with Congresswoman Ramirez against the unlimited terror of DHS and ICE, and for the rights, freedom, and futures of immigrant Americans."

The legislation was written in collaboration and is endorsed by United We Dream and Detention Watch Network.

"Now more than ever, we need real leaders to act courageously for the rights and dignity of everyone. We applaud Congresswoman Ramirez for her introduction of the Melt ICE Act, a critical piece of legislation to rein in ICE terror by restricting the agency's authorities and fully ending the ICE detention once and for all. Make no mistake, as a nation, we are at a critical inflection point. ICE is now the largest police force in the country, operating with never-before-seen funding to maintain and expand the largest immigration detention system in the world. People are dying in detention, ICE agents are tearing families apart and shooting people on the streets, deteriorating community safety, and causing chaos wherever they go. Decades of evidence illustrate that no one is safe in ICE custody. We welcome Congresswoman Ramirez's leadership in introducing the Melt ICE Act to say no more. No more endless funding for ICE, no more abuse and death at the hands of ICE, no more cruel detention when people can and should be able to navigate their immigration case from their home, and no more chaos," said Setareh Ghandehari, Advocacy Director at Detention Watch Network.

"The American people are overwhelmingly against using their tax dollars to fund continued death, destruction and terror in our cities, all while the actual dire needs of our communities are neglected. Millions of working families are struggling to afford groceries. Health care premiums are skyrocketing. People are working two, sometimes three, jobs just to keep a roof over their heads. Our communities are fed up! We demand policies that meet our needs, not those who seek to profit off the mass detention of our immigrant neighbors, the separation of families, and the deaths of allies like Renee. That work starts with the Melt ICE Act. We urge Members of Congress to follow the leadership of their colleagues, Congresswomen Ramirez and Clarke, and pass the Melt ICE Act now!" said United We Dream.

The key provisions of the Melt ICE Act would

1. Strikes all references to/authority for immigration detention in the INA: Sections 236(a), 236(c), 235(b), 241(a)
2. Terminates all existing contracts for immigration detention within 2 years of enactment, including but not limited to contracts with public entities, private entities, and any other entities that own or operate a program or facility that provides for non-residential detention-related activities for immigrants who are subject to monitoring by DHS.
3. Prevents DHS from entering into any new contracts with any entity for facilities to detain immigrants.
4. Requires DHS to submit a plan to get immigrants off ankle monitors within 6 months of enactment.
5. Redirects ICE funding to community-based organizations to provide wrap-around services to communities around the country.

For the full legislative text, CLICK HERE.

For a video of Ramirez introducing the legislation at the Homeland Security Committee hearing, CLICK HERE.

BACKGROUND:

Given the Trump Administration's expanded mass deportation agenda, DHS's immigration enforcement, including ICE, has received broad criticism for its violent tactics, lack of transparency, and disruption of Congressional oversight. The last year became the agency's deadliest year in more than two decades, with 32 people dying in ICEcustody, especially in for-profit private detention centers with limited oversight. And on Jan 7, 2026, a "surge" in "immigration enforcement" in Minneapolis led to the murder of U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good. Her murder follows a pattern of ICE-related violence, including the murder of Silverio Villegas Gonzales and the shooting of Marimar Martinez in Illinois in 2025.

Congresswoman Ramirez has led the calls for accountability of DHS and its leadership.

• In April 2025, Ramirez became the first member to call for Secretary Kristi Noem to resign
• In May 2025, Congresswoman Ramirez hand-delivereda letter to Secretary Noem requesting her resignation after confronting her with the unconstitutional, illegal weaponization of DHS.
• In December 2025,she took the first step toward Noem's impeachment and requested that the House Judiciary Committee conduct a complete investigation into the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's unlawful and potentially impeachable actions.
• In January 2026, Congresswoman Ramirez and Congressman Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announcedthe DHS Use of Force Oversight Act to statutorily require a DHS policy on the use of force and de-escalation by agents.
• In January 2026, Congresswoman Ramirez led71 members of Congress to demand the House Committee on Judiciary immediately start investigation hearings on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's unlawful and potentially impeachable actions.

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