STATEMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE ON DEADLY ICE ACTIONS AND DHS FUNDING

(Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle issued the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in Minnesota, and the corrupt attempt by Attorney General Pam Bondi to trade access to state voter data for a withdrawing of ICE agents. 

“The violence we are seeing at the hands of ICE agents is heartbreaking and unacceptable. American citizens have been killed by federal immigration agents, and our communities are rightly demanding answers and accountability. I authored a letter to Secretary Noem demanding the department take responsibility and work to restore the trust of the American People. 

“When I voted ‘NO’ on funding for the Department of Homeland Security last week, I did so because we cannot enable a targeted campaign of fear and intimidation in our country. DHS and ICE need real accountability, clear standards, and respect for constitutional rights. 

“Instead of protecting the American people, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is playing political games in the aftermath of these tragic events.  In a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following last weekend’s shooting, she demanded access to state voter records, including sensitive, constitutionally protected information, as a condition for federal cooperation in removing ICE from the state. The Trump Administration’s blatant attempt to hold our democracy hostage by weaponizing our elections is unacceptable. 

“Americans deserve transparency, justice, and a law enforcement system that is held accountable, and protects all of us. The President must immediately order ICE to withdraw before another tragedy happens.” 

Video footage of Congressman Morelle calling out the Trump administration and ICE actions can be found here and here. 

###