Trump Expands ICE into “Reckless” “Paramilitary Force”
NEWS & RESEARCH
President Trump has dramatically expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through record funding and aggressive deportation mandates. The administration aims to deport one million people annually, investing billions in new detention centers and deputizing local police through state partnerships. Additionally, new policies require the detention of refugees who do not seek green cards within their first year and claim "sweeping power" for federal agents to enter homes without judicial warrants.
SOURCES: NPR | ACLU | The Hill | AP
ANALYSIS & OPINION
Critics argue these actions move ICE far outside legal norms. TIME reports a growing consensus among experts that the agency is operating "recklessly," while criminal justice expert Radley Balko told the New York Times that Trump is essentially building a "paramilitary force." The National Immigration Law Center characterized the expansion as a "campaign of terror," and legal scholars warn that permitting warrantless entries ignores fundamental constitutional protections.
SOURCES: TIME | NYT | NILC | CNN
HOW TO FIX IT
Federal action:
Pass the DHS Use of Force Transparency Act, which requires that the administration provide Congress with information regarding DHS’s use of force
Rescind Funding: Revoke the $170 billion bonus granted to DHS in July 2025 and freeze further increases.
Restore Oversight: Mandate the reinstatement and codification of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and the Immigration Detention Ombudsman.
Enforce Transparency: Condition all future DHS funding on strict compliance with oversight obligations.
Protect Homes: Require judicial warrants for all home entries and demand the immediate rescission of memos authorizing warrantless searches.
Terminate Agreements: End all local cooperation and formal contracts with ICE or DHS.
Establish "Safe Zones": Limit ICE access to sensitive community spaces, including schools, hospitals, courts, and religious institutions.
Legislation: H.R.7984 - DHS Use of Force Transparency Act
