Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) released the following statement after House Republicans rejected her amendments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill that would have put commonsense checks on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the wake of the murder of Minneapolis resident Renee Good and a disturbing pattern of extreme force, family separation, and unlawful detentions by ICE officers across the country. Rep. Pettersen is opposed to the DHS funding bill.

“ICE has gone rogue  — terrorizing our communities, detaining people who are here legally, arresting children, and murdering innocent US citizens with zero accountability,” said Pettersen. “The lawlessness and cruelty of Trump and Noem’s ICE operations are creating fear and chaos across the country. We were told they were going to go after violent criminals, but that is far from reality. In fact, last month 75% of detainees had no criminal history. Immigrants without any criminal convictions are being sent to federal prisons meant for violent criminals who are a danger to our communities. On top of that, kids are being ripped from their parents and thrown into foster care, and other federal law enforcement officers are being pulled into ICE operations instead of being able to do their actual jobs. That’s why I introduced amendments to rein in some of the unlawful actions we’re witnessing but, unfortunately, Republicans rejected every single one. I will continue to fight back against ICE’s illegal actions, hold Donald Trump and Kristi Noem accountable, and vote against any funding or additional authority for these horrific, unconstitutional and terrifying operations.”

Rep. Pettersen’s amendments would establish critical guardrails on ICE operations, including:

• Blocking ICE from placing a child into foster care when a parent is detained without first contacting next of kin;

• Prohibiting the transfer of federal law enforcement officers to ICE; and

• Preventing ICE from holding detainees in federal prisons.

Pettersen has consistently voted against Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, including opposing over $45 billion in funding for immigration enforcement in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” She also supports legislation to require DHS and ICE officers to clearly identify themselves during enforcement actions and has demanded accountability from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, including calling for Noem’s impeachment.