U.S. Congress Proposes New Restrictions on ICE in 2026 Budget

In February 2026, Democratic leaders in the United States Congress sent a letter to congressional leadership calling for major reforms in the operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In the document, lawmakers state that communities across the country have been “terrorized” by immigration enforcement actions and cite deadly incidents in Minneapolis as evidence of the urgent need for accountability. 2026 Feb Congress of the United…

Among the main proposals are requirements for judicial warrants before entering private property, a ban on the use of face coverings by agents, mandatory visible identification during operations, and protections for sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, churches, and courts. The letter also calls for an end to racial profiling, standardized use-of-force policies, and stronger oversight by state and local authorities. 2026 Feb Congress of the United…

Another key point in the document is the requirement for body-worn cameras during public interactions, with clear rules for storage and access to footage to increase transparency. Lawmakers emphasize that the cameras should be used for accountability, not surveillance of lawful activities. In addition, they argue that detention facilities must guarantee immediate access to legal counsel and that states should be allowed to sue DHS for violations. 2026 Feb Congress of the United…

The letter also urges the federal government to take immediate action, including scaling back enforcement operations in Minnesota and removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from office. According to the authors, the proposed measures represent “common-sense solutions” aimed at protecting constitutional rights and ensuring more responsible immigration enforcement. 2026 Feb Congress of the United.