Congresswoman Luz Rivas Calls for ICE to be Dismantled, says it is “Broken Beyond Repair”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29), the first Latina to represent the San Fernando Valley in Congress, released the following statement calling for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be dismantled:

"ICE must be dismantled. The agency has gone rogue and is broken beyond repair.

"This agency is no longer just carrying out immigration enforcement - it is carrying out Donald Trump's anti-immigrant agenda that is unconstitutional and going far beyond its scope of power. The danger our country faces is not immigrants. The true danger is a normalization of a lower Constitutional standard that - if not checked and dismantled now - will bring historical parallels that must be prevented.

"ICE is not just a bad agency - it is a threat to our public safety that uses violence as a predictable outcome, not a lone incident. In the San Fernando Valley and across the country, ICE continues to tear families apart; brutally detain U.S. citizens, immigrants, and children; and instigate violent clashes with members of the community. Over 40 people have died as a result of ICE's violent and inhumane practices, including Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. The only way we can truly protect our communities from the terror of ICE is if it is dismantled.

"For our Constitutional integrity and the safety of my community and immigrant communities across the country, dismantle ICE - now."

Background:

Congresswoman Rivas has been an active leader in demanding for accountability into ICE. She has conducted oversight visits to ICE detention center facilities in Southern California and has demanded answers from ICE on their treatment of detainees.

On August 29, 2025, Congresswoman Rivas introduced H.R. 5073, the Immigration Notification for Facility Oversight and Relocation Management (INFORM) Act, which will require that, within 24 hours, ICE must notify the immediate family member of a detainee if the detainee is transferred to another detention center.

Currently, H.R. 5073, the INFORM Act, has the endorsement of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), Bet Tzedek, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), and Central American Resource Center (CARECEN).

On January 9, 2026, Rep. Rivas co-signed a letter by Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Lyons demanding a full and transparent investigation on the shooting of Renee Nicole Good.

On January 13, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas co-sponsored Congresswoman Robin Kelly's (IL-02) Articles of Impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. In addition, Congresswoman Rivas signed a letter led by Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03) to Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (OH-04) asking for a full and thorough investigation into Secretary Noem's unlawful and potentially impeachable actions.

On January 21, 2026, Congresswoman Rivas announced that she will not vote to continue funding for DHS and ICE.

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