Congressman Cohen Demands Answers on ICE Agents and Task Force Crackdowns

WASHINGTON - Following two recent killings in Memphis by members of the Memphis Safe Task Force and recent killings in Houston and Biddeford, Maine, by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding answers about the policies, practices and standards employed by the accelerated federalized law enforcement in American cities.

Congressman Cohen wrote several letters to Mullin's predecessor, Kristi Noem, which received no replies, and questioned her claim to be deporting "the worst of the worst" at a Judiciary Committee oversight hearing in March.

The letter to Mullin reads in part:

"I write out of deep concern about the conduct of the Memphis Safe Task Force in my community. Just in the past four days, we have had two Memphians killed at the hands of Task Force members. I remain particularly concerned about the deployments of the National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) patrolling the streets. The rush to put Task Force members on the street - without the proper training in community policing- has had deadly consequences.

"This is a matter of absolute urgency. Just today, I learned of another individual shot by an ICE agent in Maine. Last week, before this most recent incident, The New York Times reported that since 2025, ICE has been involved in 29 shooting incidents, with over 20 people shot and at least 8 killed.

"I wrote your predecessor on several occasions to express my concerns and inquire about the composition of and training for the Memphis Safe Crime Task Force - particularly ICE agents. I renew those questions and look forward to your answers.

• Law enforcement is most credible when it reflects the communities it serves. Please provide a demographic breakdown (including race, gender, and previous law enforcement experience) of ICE active agents by year of first employment by the agency.
• How many individuals have been shot by either Memphis Safe Crime Task Force members in Memphis or DHS agents throughout the United States since January 20, 2025? How many were killed in those shootings or later succumbed to injuries caused by an ICE shooting?
• How many DHS agents have been disciplined for excessive force since January 21, 2025? Please provide a short narrative describing those incidents, the resolution, and any disciplinary action resulting from such incidents.
  • Did any current ICE agents participate in the January 6, 2021, insurrection? Were any current ICE agents convicted of a crime (pardoned or otherwise) for the crimes committed on January 6, 2021?
  • Has any current ICE agent ever been associated with the Proud Boys or the Oath Keepers?
  • We recently learned the federal government has begun to share evidence with state and local authorities in Minnesota regarding the killings of Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti. Do you commit to sharing all evidence collected regarding a DHS agent firing upon a civilian with the respective state and local authorities should they request it?
  • Please describe and provide training materials for ICE agents on responding to individuals in crisis, de-escalation, cultural competency, and other skills that are essential for effective community policing.
  • Please describe and provide training materials regarding interacting with armed individuals and the use of deadly force. Does ICE policy permit shooting at a moving vehicle?
  • Please provide the standards for hiring agents. Do ICE's recruiting practices align with the Model Policies and Resources designed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police?
  • Is an independent review conducted after every use of deadly force by an ICE agent? Please describe the review process.
  • Is this the process that was used after the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis?
  • Were the Good and Pretti reviews completed? If so, please provide the findings. If not, what is causing the delay, and when will the full review be complete?

I look forward to your prompt response."

See the letter here.

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