The United States has a broken immigration system that weakens our national security while leaving families who are looking to begin a new life in legal limbo.
We need bipartisan, comprehensive reform to bring order to our immigration system while restoring humanity and accountability. That’s why I’ve stood up to this Administration’s extreme immigration tactics and pushed for real reforms in order to hold ICE officers accountable. I’ve also worked across the aisle to support funding for stronger border measures, including investments in better border patrol technology between ports of entry, fentanyl detection devices and child welfare professionals at the border.
Restoring Public Trust: Since taking office, President Trump has pursued an immigration agenda that has relied on fear, aggressive enforcement tactics, and policies that have undermined constitutional rights and eroded trust in our communities. Border security and constitutional rights are not competing priorities. We can enforce our immigration laws while ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
- I voted 3 times against legislation that would have handed ICE and Customs and Border Protection an additional $70 billion without meaningful oversight, accountability, or reforms. We can secure our border, without giving any agency a blank check.
- I was one of the first members of Congress to call for the removal or impeachment of Kristi Noem, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. That push led to her eventual firing.
- I have now held 4 immigration roundtables throughout the district. One of those was with some of our Mayors and police chiefs to discuss ongoing ICE activity in the district and how we can help provide information to our immigrant communities. The other three roundtables were with our immigration advocacy organizations where I heard from local leaders, nonprofits, and advocacy groups on their concerns and how we can work together for our immigrant communities.
- I’m a proud cosponsor of the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would prevent immigration enforcement actions in schools, hospitals, and places of worship so families can access education, health care, and religious services without fear.
- I’m also a cosponsor of the No Secret Police Act and the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act. Together, these bills would require ICE officers to clearly identify themselves, wear body cameras, prohibit the use of masks that conceal officers’ identities during routine enforcement, and limit the use of excessive force when safer alternatives are available.
- I’m also a cosponsor of the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act and the Human Accountability Act which would require ICE and CBP to conduct timely, in-personal medical screenings and ensure basic humanitarian standards for people in ICE custody. This includes medical evaluations, guaranteed access to safe drinking water, medically appropriate meals based on age and health needs, and other crucial standards.
- In May, I conducted a Congressional Oversight visit at the Ste. Genevieve County Detention Center in Missouri, where we have had several constituents detained. I saw some of the poor conditions to which undocumented immigrants are being subjected to and immediately raised those with facility leadership.
Investing in a Better System: Our immigration system is broken. We need to fix it by speeding up the legal immigration process so people who want to live the American Dream aren’t forced to wait years for answers.
- I’m proud to support the American Dream and Promise Act to fix our broken asylum system, offer Dreamers a pathway to citizenship, and provide other undocumented immigrants with work authorization. I’m determined to continue working in Congress to secure much-needed immigration reform that recognizes the dignity of our nation’s immigrants.
- At the same time, we must strengthen border security with the personnel, technology, and resources needed to stop illegal crossings, disrupt criminal cartels, and keep our communities safe.
- During my first term, I proudly supported legislation to hire 22,000 additional Border Patrol agents and helped secure more than $280 million to strengthen border security and improve enforcement.
- I’ve fought to increase federal resources to stop the flow of deadly illicit fentanyl at our borders, crack down on the criminal networks trafficking these drugs, and give law enforcement the tools they need to combat the opioid epidemic that has devastated communities across Central and Southern Illinois.
