Omar's new legislation targeting ICE sparks outrage when the internet sees what's in it: 'Un-American'
Maine News Now – April 24, 2024
Rep. Ilhan Omar’s “Make ICE Pay Act” sparks national debate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Ilhan Omar (D‑Minn.), the first Somali‑American in Congress, unveiled a new bill on Thursday that would shift nearly $140 billion in federal funds earmarked for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol toward local recovery projects across the country. The legislation, dubbed the “Make ICE Pay Act,” is intended to compensate communities that prosecutors say have been harmed by aggressive immigration enforcement.
Omar said the bill would redirect money from the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which had increased ICE’s budget, and place the funds under the administration of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD would be overseen by its inspector general, and the program would expire three years after it was created, according to a press release issued by Omar’s office.
“We need accountability,” Omar wrote on X. “ICE has been tearing through our nation, devastating our neighborhoods, our cities, and our businesses. Our communities deserve accountability. My Make ICE Pay Act will redirect ICE’s $140 billion budget to the communities they’ve hurt the most.”
Under the proposal, the money would be distributed to local jurisdictions for economic relief, support for nonprofits and small businesses, and services such as schools, health care, and mental‑health programs. The bill also would fund local‑government expenses, investigations, and memorialization efforts related to immigration enforcement.
Omar linked her proposal specifically to the “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota, a 2023 police operation that reportedly involved ICE officers, and said the legislation was a response to the impact that ICE has had on communities nationwide.
A quick backlash from Republican leaders
The bill has already drawn sharp criticism from the Republican caucus. Senator Jim Banks (R‑Ind.) posted on X, “This bill is un‑American. This bill defunds law enforcement and gives their funding to the communities harboring criminal illegal aliens. Democrats fight for everyone except the American people.”
Arkansas Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders also weighed in on X, “Defund ICE. Weaken the border. Then expect safer communities? That math isn’t mathing.” Republican candidate John Nagel, who is challenging Omar in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the November election, said on the platform of his campaign, “She is anti‑police and pro‑communism.” A conservative influencer account called LibsofTikTok posted, “The definition of America last. Denaturalize and deport.”
The comments highlight a broader partisan divide over the future of the federal immigration budget. With the Republican Party controlling both the Senate and the House, and President Biden’s administration facing a “bleak” legislative outlook, many analysts believe the bill has little chance of passing in its current form.
DHS investigation into Omar
In the days before the bill’s release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that it was conducting an investigation into allegations involving Omar, according to a statement from White House border czar Tom Homan. Homan said the agency was looking into “something that has been reported and needs to be looked at,” but declined to provide details.
When pressed, Homan said, “I’m confirming that ICE is… yeah – look, I said months ago that there’s something that’s been reported and needs to be looked at.” The statement was interpreted by some as confirmation of a criminal investigation, although no charges have been filed and no public evidence has been released.
The investigation follows long‑standing allegations that Omar married a man who critics claim is her brother in an immigration scheme. Omar has repeatedly denied the claims, labeling them “bigoted lies,” and has stated that the allegations are unsubstantiated. No public records have proven the allegation.
How the bill could play out
The Make ICE Pay Act would represent a significant shift in federal policy, repurposing a portion of the $140 billion ICE budget that has been earmarked for border enforcement and immigration operations. Proponents argue that the money would help communities that feel the brunt of ICE operations, while opponents claim the proposal would weaken law‑enforcement agencies and undermine national security.
The bill would require congressional approval and would face scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. The administration has not released an official position on the legislation. Meanwhile, DHS has not yet provided any evidence of wrongdoing on Omar’s part, despite the ongoing investigation.
In the weeks ahead, lawmakers will likely weigh the bill’s potential economic benefits against its political costs. For now, the Make ICE Pay Act remains a polarizing proposal that underscores the deep partisan divide over immigration enforcement and federal budgeting.