Congresswoman Simon’s Votes Against Department of Homeland Security, ICE Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement after voting against legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security Funding: 

“Today I voted NO on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through February 13, 2026.

“ICE and CBP do not need more funding to terrorize communities or kill more people. They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gifts them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses.

“The American people are demanding change. Poll after poll of Americans’ opinions show overwhelming support for requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras and prohibiting them from hiding their faces during enforcement actions. This is the bare minimum transparency standard, and this funding legislation does not even meet this low bar.

“Republicans in Congress are not serious about reining in these lawless agencies. Their refusal to make meaningful changes to the DHS funding bill has consequences that go beyond immigration enforcement. TSA agents who keep our airports safe and FEMA workers who help our communities recover from disasters are stuck in limbo due to Republican inaction.

“The Constitution does not have an exception for immigrants. Every person on American soil has rights, and federal agencies must respect them. The East Bay has made clear at the Alameda County and city level that we will hold the line against a violent ICE force and support our immigrant communities – I will continue to hold the line and our values with my votes in Congress.

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