Omar to introduce Make ICE Pay Act to redirect $140B from ICE, CBP

ICE arrests reached 49,571 in July, highest of Trump’s second term

Rep. Ilhan Omar is set to introduce the Make ICE Pay Act on Thursday, legislation she said would force federal immigration agencies “to pay the price” for damage to communities affected by Trump administration immigration enforcement operations. The bill would block nearly $140 billion previously designated for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and redirect that money to states, local governments, nonprofits and small businesses hit by enforcement operations in Minnesota and other states including Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina and Oregon.

The bill would target funding previously designated for ICE and CBP under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” “For over a year, ICE has been tearing through our nation, leading racist terror campaigns that have caused devastating damage to our cities, to our businesses, and to the lives of our constituents,” Omar said. She represents Minnesota’s fifth congressional district, covering Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs.

Beginning last December, thousands of federal immigration agents descended on Minneapolis and surrounding areas, resulting in nearly 4,000 total arrests and the fatal shooting of two US citizens, Renée Good and Alex Pretti. The mood of fear and isolation also had a profound effect on commerce. “In Minneapolis, Operation Metro Surge cost our community nearly $700m,” Omar said. “We have a moral responsibility to end this abuse of power. Our bill will force ICE to pay the price for the damage they’ve left in their wake and ensure that these devastating operations can never be repeated.”

Enforcement actions covered by the bill include Operation Midway Blitz in Illinois, Operations Swamp Sweet and Catahoula Crunch in Louisiana, Operation Catch of the Day in Maine, Operation Charlotte’s Web in North Carolina and Operation Black Rose in Oregon.

Grants under the proposed scheme could be used to provide economic relief, reimburse operational expenses, assist educational institutions and deliver psychosocial support to affected individuals. The measure would also authorize funding for official investigations, commissions of inquiry, record-keeping, truth-telling and memorialization projects. The scheme would be administered through the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development over three years.

ICE arrests surged to 49,571 in July, the highest monthly total of Trump’s second term. The total represented a 15 percent increase from the 43,021 arrests recorded in June and a 70 percent rise compared with the 29,241 arrests made in February. The sharp rise in detentions came despite assurances given during confirmation hearings by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin that the department would pursue a more moderate approach to enforcement.

A Harvard CAPS/Harris survey of 2,100 registered voters conducted last month found 47 percent of Americans view federal immigration agencies unfavorably and 39 percent view them favorably. Public opinion has turned against the agencies after a series of flashpoints, according to the poll.

Omar was born in Somalia, arrived in the United States as a refugee at age 12 and became a citizen at 17. According to The Guardian, Omar has been a particular target of Trump’s racist rhetoric, which has helped generate death threats against her. At a rally last December, Trump told supporters, “We ought to get her the hell out!” as the crowd chanted “Send her back!”