WATCH: Padilla Condemns ICE and CBP’s Violent Abuse of Power Under Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined a bicameral spotlight forum to denounce Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents' violent tactics and disproportionate use of force as they enact President Trump's mass deportation agenda in American cities.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, convened the forum to hear testimony from U.S. citizens who have been victims of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents' violent abuse of power. Martin Daniel Rascon, a U.S. citizen and resident of San Bernardino, California, was among the witnesses who testified, recounting his experience when ICE and CBP agents unlawfully stopped him and his family last August before a CBP agent fired on their car multiple times.

Padilla slammed the out-of-control Trump Administration's reckless, indiscriminate immigration enforcement campaign that has terrorized American communities, starting with Los Angeles. He condemned ICE and CBP's cruel and unlawful violence against immigrants, peaceful protesters, bystanders, and U.S. citizens alike.

Padilla demanded meaningful reforms and accountability for DHS' rogue violence after ICE and CBP's violent killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti last month in Minneapolis. After Good's brothers and her family's lawyer offered powerful testimony at the forum, Padilla expressed his deep condolences to Good's family and warned that more lives could be lost if ICE and CBP continue their violent operations in Minneapolis and in other cities across the country. Padilla also criticized his Republican colleagues for refusing to hold DHS accountable and blasted the Administration for villainizing victims of the violent actions of ICE and CBP agents before any unbiased, independent investigations take place.

In addition to Mr. Rascon, the following witness offered testimony:

• Marimar Martinez: A U.S. citizen and resident of Chicago, Illinois. In October, she was shot five times by CBP agents. After being shot by the Border Patrol Agent, Ms. Martinez was later charged with assaulting the agents who shot her. All charges were dropped by the U.S. Attorney's Office six weeks later.

• Aliya Rahman: A U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is also a person with autism and a traumatic brain injury. In January, she was violently dragged from her car by immigration agents after telling them she had a disability; she was then detained without immediate access to medical care or accommodations.

• Luke and Brent Ganger: The brothers of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in January.

• Antonio Romanucci: An attorney representing the family of Renee Nicole Good.

• Seth Stoughton: A former police officer and Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he is the Faculty Director of the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety (EPPS) Program.

Key Excerpts:

• Let's not let our Republican colleagues off the hook, because under normal circumstances, regardless of who's in the majority, when tragedies like this happen, Congressional committees convene to conduct our job to provide that oversight, but our Republican colleagues refuse to. Not at the House, not at the Senate, not at the full committee, and not even the subcommittee level. But at least we are here doing what we can to bring this information to light.

• We've seen the masks, the unmarked cars, the agents who refuse to identify themselves. We've seen the agents coming out of helicopters, rappelling onto an apartment building in Chicago, kicking in doors indiscriminately, all for purposes of making a promotional video for themselves. We've heard and seen about the tear gas. We've seen the shootings of cars like Mr. Rascon's experience and others.

• Instead of proceeding with the best practices of an independent investigation, what do we hear from the Administration, all the way to the top? "No, these officers have complete immunity." Number one, that's not true, it's wrong. Number two, it's the opposite message, the wrong message to send to the agents in the field.

• So as heartbroken as I am, I'm not shocked that less than three weeks later, Mr. Pretti was shot. 10 times. In the back. All for what? Because Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti were exercising their First Amendment rights? They're speaking up on behalf of their neighbors. That's so core to our democracy, freedom of speech.

• Under normal circumstances, we turn to the Department of Justice and the Civil Rights Division to oversee a credible, independent investigation and bring forth consequences and accountability when warranted. But sadly, we're not living in normal times. And so we do need to exercise any leverage point we can for the important reforms and restraints of what's happening on the streets, for the safety of our communities and our constituents.

• Ms. Martinez deserves justice. Ms. Rahman deserves justice. Mr. Rascon deserves justice. The people of our country deserve better.

Video of Padilla's remarks is available here.

Today's event was the second public forum Padilla joined as part of an ongoing inquiry into the lawless and abusive tactics used by federal immigration agents. In December, Padilla heard testimony from five U.S. citizens, including three Californians, whom DHS agents have violently arrested and detained. Padilla and Senator Blumenthal also introduced the Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act that month to allow individuals - regardless of citizenship - the right to sue federal law enforcement officers and agencies in civil court for violations of their civil and constitutional rights.

Senator Padilla has been a leading voice in opposition to President Trump's cruel and indiscriminate mass deportation agenda, including against his unprecedented, illegal militarization of Los Angeles and other American cities like Minneapolis. Last week, Padilla spoke on the Senate floor to hold the line against any additional funding for President Trump's DHS after the brutal killings of Good and Pretti by ICE and CBP officers and agents. He also voted "no" against funding ICE and CBP's cruelty. Additionally, Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and every Senate Judiciary Democrat in urging the Department of Justice to heed the calls of career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the death of Renee Nicole Good. Last month, Padilla joined leading immigration advocates and interfaith leaders at an "ICE Out for Good" rally and vigil to condemn the Trump Administration's abuses against American communities and to demand ICE and CBP leave Minnesota after Good's killing.

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