Hickenlooper: “I’m a NO” on DHS Funding Bill

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement announcing he will vote 'No' on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) funding bill that does nothing to rein in ICE's lawlessness:

Watch Hickenlooper's video on his social media accounts HERE

"Kids are terrified to go to school. Families can't go to the grocery store. It is truly horrifying.

"Now the Trump administration's asking Congress to continue to fund ICE.

"Let me make it clear. The Department of Homeland Security's funding bill doesn't go far enough to restrain ICE's lawlessness, and it's not just Minnesota. This administration is continuing to target Colorado and other blue states. We have to do more. So, I'm a no on the bill…"

Hickenlooper has consistently pushed for more oversight and transparency for federal immigration enforcement efforts, and has worked to help families desperately searching for loved ones arrested by ICE. Hickenlooper has visited the ICE detention center in Aurora multiple times to conduct congressional oversight visits and raise concerns with ICE officials regarding delayed communication with congressional offices, irregular process changes, reports of ICE pressuring detainees to voluntarily depart instead of proceeding through a judicial process, and facility conditions.

In August, Senator Hickenlooper's office led the effort to get a mother and her 7-year-old son from Chaffee County released from the family detention center in Dilley, Texas. The mother had no criminal record and an active asylum claim. She and her son were held for two weeks before their release.

In November, Hickenlooper called for the immediate release of a Durango father and his two young children after ICE arrested them while they were on their way to school. Following ICE's failure to release the family, Senator Hickenlooper spoke directly with DHS Secretary Noem, demanding ICE release them from custody after they reported being physically abused while in ICE detention. Despite having active asylum claims and no criminal record, DHS refused.

In response, Hickenlooper and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff opened an inquiry into ICE's unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight.

Hickenlooper is a cosponsor of the Immigration Enforcement Identification Act to increase transparency, accountability, and safety in immigration law enforcement. This bill prohibits law enforcement officers from obscuring their faces and requires them to clearly display their agency, name, and a unique identifier while conducting immigration enforcement functions.

Hickenlooper also introduced the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act to limit immigration arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

Hickenlooper and U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego also called out the Trump administration for diverting federal agents for immigration enforcement, sacrificing the safety of Americans.

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