Delia Ramirez introduces bill to replace DHS and abolish ICE

Representative Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) has introduced the Reimagining Safety Act, a legislative proposal aimed at dismantling the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and replacing it with a new Department of Community Safety. The bill seeks to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), redirecting their funding toward community programs and the establishment of a separate civil immigration system.

The legislation would preserve certain existing agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Coast Guard, and various customs functions. It also aims to curb government surveillance and shift toward a community-led safety model.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has strongly rejected the proposal, stating that such changes will “never” happen. A DHS spokesperson criticized the rhetoric, arguing that the proposal vilifies law enforcement and noting that the department's agents are responsible for removing criminals from communities.