Rep. Delia Ramirez Introduces Radical Bill to Overhaul DHS
Rep. Delia Ramirez from Illinois has put forward significant legislation aimed at dismantling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and eliminating both the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This proposal seeks to fundamentally revise federal immigration enforcement.
The legislation, known as the Reimagining Safety Act, would replace the DHS with a newly established Department of Community Safety. Despite the broad changes, some existing federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), would remain intact.
The bill would directly abolish CBP, including the Border Patrol, removing the agency responsible for securing U.S. borders and inspecting travelers and goods entering the country. Rep. Rashida Tlaib from Michigan and Reps. Adelita Grijalva from Arizona and Jim McGovern from Massachusetts have joined as original cosponsors, as noted by Ramirez’s office.
Rep. Delia Ramirez introduced legislation to dismantle DHS.
Apart from dismantling the existing enforcement structure of CBP, the proposed legislation would also cease federal funding for border walls starting in the fiscal year 2027. It calls for closing the military detention center at Guantánamo Bay within 60 days of enactment.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin strongly opposed this proposal, emphasizing the efforts of DHS personnel in maintaining American safety. He criticized the proposal as contrary to prioritizing the safety of American citizens.
Markwayne Mullin criticized the proposal saying DHS personnel are keeping Americans safe.
Despite these criticisms, Rep. Ramirez defends her proposal, asserting that the current structure of DHS should be dismantled in favor of an agency prioritizing community safety. She stresses the need for change in light of everyday safety concerns faced by Americans.
Ramirez argues for replacing DHS with an agency focused on community safety.
The legislation suggests transferring TSA and the Coast Guard to the Department of Transportation. FEMA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would be reassigned to the proposed Department of Community Safety. Customs tasks would be moved to the Treasury Department, while certain immigration functions would transition to the Justice Department.
At present, the proposed changes to immigration enforcement described in the bill are not active. The bill requires congressional approval and presidential endorsement to take effect.