DHS watchdog investigating use of force by ICE

Department of Homeland Security Investigates ICE Use of Force Amid Immigration Scrutiny

The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has embarked on an investigation into the use of force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, prompted by a letter from Congressional Democrats. This inquiry emerges as the Trump administration is under fire for its aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, which have reportedly escalated into violence in recent weeks, raising alarms among lawmakers from both parties.

In a letter dated Monday addressed to DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, the lawmakers highlighted the tragic incidents involving the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis last month. The letter notes that an initial review of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) tactics was initiated on January 8, urging the Inspector General to expedite the timeline for this critical probe.

“Given the urgency of this situation — with communities facing severe, and sometimes fatal, harm from ICE’s tactics on American streets every day — we request that your office conduct this review expeditiously and share any preliminary findings with Congress and the public on an expedited basis,” the Democrats emphasized, according to a copy of the letter reviewed by POLITICO.

The letter was spearheaded by Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts, along with Representatives Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), and Lou Correa (D-Calif.). They initially called for the investigation in June, and their appeal has garnered support from 36 additional colleagues across both the House and Senate, as reported by The New York Times.

The Inspector General’s office is currently conducting an “audit of ICE’s Processes for Investigating and Addressing Allegations of Excessive Use of Force,” as stated in their ongoing projects list. This investigation aims to ascertain whether ICE is appropriately addressing allegations of excessive force and ensuring accountability in accordance with federal laws and DHS policies.

While the Inspector General’s office and ICE have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the probe, the lawmakers emphasized the need for the review to take precedence. They noted that the Inspector General’s office often falls short of its goal to complete audits within 397 days, as highlighted in a January report from the Government Accountability Office.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has hinted at a potential softening of its immigration enforcement stance, driven by threats from Democrats to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and to withhold funding for the department over aggressive enforcement measures.

In a bid to ease tensions in Minnesota, the White House reassigned Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and sent border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis last week. Following discussions between Homan and state Democratic leaders, Secretary Noem announced on Monday that ICE and CBP officers in the city will begin wearing body cameras during enforcement operations — a significant demand from congressional Democrats advocating for agency reforms.

Furthermore, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, a key figure in the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, acknowledged that CBP agents may not have adhered to proper protocols during the fatal shooting of Pretti, which is currently under review by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and DHS.

Despite these developments, President Trump has sought to downplay any perceived shift in strategy, dismissing claims that his administration is retreating from its aggressive deportation efforts while continuing to criticize Pretti.