Democrat Introduces Bill to Abolish DHS, ICE, and Border Patrol

Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., has formally introduced legislation aimed at dismantling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and eliminating Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bill, titled the "Reimagining Safety Act," would fundamentally overhaul federal immigration enforcement and create a new "Department of Community Safety" to replace DHS. Several existing agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), would be preserved under the new structure.

The proposed legislation would eliminate CBP, including the Border Patrol, which is currently responsible for securing the nation's borders and screening international travelers and goods. While some customs and immigration functions would be transferred to other federal departments, the bill seeks to dismantle CBP's existing enforcement framework. Under the proposed changes, the TSA and Coast Guard would move to the Department of Transportation, FEMA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would be part of the new "Department of Community Safety," customs functions would hypothetically transfer to the Treasury Department, and certain immigration functions would move to the Justice Department.

Original cosponsors of the bill include fellow "Squad" members Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., along with Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. The legislation also includes provisions to prohibit federal funding for border walls starting in fiscal year 2027 and mandates the closure of the military detention facility at Guantánamo Bay within 60 days of enactment.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has previously criticized the proposal, stating, "Radical leftists are calling to defund the police and abolish DHS. It’s NEVER going to happen." He added, "Our 270,000 DHS patriots are keeping Americans SAFE— unlike this open-borders politician who refuses to prioritize Americans over illegal aliens." A DHS spokesperson also commented that Ramirez "should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from her district—NOT vilifying law enforcement."

Ramirez defended her proposal, arguing that the current department should be dismantled and replaced with an agency focused on community safety. "Every day, Americans wake up with a new reason to dismantle DHS, reimagine safety, and build something that honors our shared humanity," Ramirez stated.

The legislation must pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law to take effect. None of the proposed changes to immigration enforcement are currently in force.