WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 17, 2025
U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, has introduced legislation that seeks to prohibit federal immigration authorities from arresting, detaining, or deporting U.S. citizens. The proposed legislation—titled the Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act—aims to address a series of cases in which citizens have allegedly been unlawfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Jayapal called the move long overdue, citing what she describes as a pattern of misconduct by ICE, particularly targeting Latino and immigrant communities. “ICE is acting like a rogue force, kidnapping and disappearing people off the streets with no due process,” Jayapal said in a statement. “When ICE is conducting immigration enforcement, arresting and detaining U.S. citizens is illegal — and deporting U.S. citizens is illegal, full stop.”
The bill seeks to codify existing legal protections and hold immigration agents accountable for violating them. It would also establish penalties for agents found to have unlawfully detained or placed citizens into immigration proceedings.
ICE’s internal guidelines already prohibit such actions, stating that “as a matter of law, ICE cannot assert its civil immigration enforcement authority to arrest and/or detain a U.S. citizen.” Yet, civil rights groups and immigration advocates argue that violations are continuing to occur, disproportionately affecting Latino residents and naturalized citizens.
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Recent incidents have intensified calls for legislative safeguards. In July, George Retes, a 25-year-old disabled veteran and U.S. citizen, was reportedly detained in California for three days without charges or legal representation following an immigration raid. Retes claimed he was tear-gassed, physically restrained, and held without explanation, despite repeatedly asserting his citizenship.
In another case, a 19-year-old citizen was held for ten days by the Department of Homeland Security after suffering a medical emergency and approaching Border Patrol for help. He was allegedly misidentified as a Mexican national due to lack of identification at the time.
Other incidents include U.S. citizen children who were deported to Honduras after ICE detained their non-citizen mother during a routine check-in. Though ICE stated that the mother voluntarily chose to take her children with her, advocates and legal experts argue that she was not provided a meaningful opportunity to arrange alternate care and that the deportation process was conducted without due process.
Additional reports detail cases in Alabama, New Mexico, Arizona, and Florida, where U.S. citizens have been detained based on alleged document discrepancies or mistaken identity. In May, Leonardo Garcia Venegas, a Florida-born construction worker, was detained in Foley, Alabama, after agents questioned the authenticity of his Real ID. He later alleged that he was handcuffed and forced to his knees despite providing proof of citizenship.
Jayapal’s proposed legislation is co-sponsored by more than two dozen House Democrats, including Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL), Rashida Tlaib (MI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Judy Chu (CA), and Jan Schakowsky (IL). The bill is expected to face a challenging path in the GOP-controlled House but has gained support from civil rights organizations and immigrant advocacy groups, including the ACLU and the National Immigration Project.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, pushed back against the allegations. “The media is shamefully peddling a false narrative to demonize ICE agents,” she said, denying that the agency is engaged in unlawful detention practices.
Nonetheless, Jayapal argues that congressional action is necessary to eliminate ambiguity. “Congress must act to make it abundantly clear, with absolutely no grey area, that ICE cannot do this — and ensure that agents who act outside their authority are held accountable,” she said.
The legislation reflects growing national concern over immigration enforcement tactics and underscores the broader debate over civil liberties, racial profiling, and federal accountability in immigration policy.