Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has introduced the Make ICE Pay Act, a legislative proposal that seeks to redirect approximately $140 billion in funding from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) towards communities impacted by immigration enforcement operations. The bill proposes to fund local recovery efforts, including economic relief for nonprofits and small businesses, support for schools, healthcare services, and psychological services, as well as cover increased local government expenses and memorialization efforts.
Omar stated that the legislation is a response to immigration enforcement actions, citing "Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota as a catalyst. She explained that the funds would be administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and would expire three years after its creation. "ICE has been tearing through our nation, devastating our neighborhoods, our cities, and our businesses," Omar said in a post on X. "Our communities deserve accountability. My Make ICE Pay Act will redirect ICE's $140 billion budget to the communities they've hurt the most."
However, the bill has encountered significant opposition from conservatives. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., criticized the legislation on X, calling it "un-American" and stating that it would "defund law enforcement and give their funding to the communities harboring criminal illegal aliens." The conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok described the bill as "the definition of America last." Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders also voiced her disapproval, tweeting, "Defund ICE. Weaken the border. Then expect safer communities? That math isn’t mathing."
John Nagel, a Republican candidate challenging Omar in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, accused the congresswoman of being "anti-police and pro communism" and aiming to cripple the United States. Omar's office was contacted by Fox News Digital for comment.
This legislative push comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Omar. White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed to Fox News that the Department of Homeland Security is investigating allegations involving Omar, though he declined to provide specifics about the nature of the "ongoing criminal investigation." When pressed about whether the federal government has evidence of immigration or naturalization fraud, Homan did not comment but acknowledged that "something that's been reported and needs to be looked at."
Omar has previously faced accusations regarding her immigration status and marriage history, which she has denied, dismissing such claims as "bigoted lies."