Delia Ramirez wants Democrats to meet the moment
Rep. Delia Ramirez argues that Democrats must seize the opportunity of their new majority to push a bold, pro-immigrant reform agenda, hold DHS and immigration enforcement to account, and stop letting immigration be a political liability. She proposes dismantling DHS from within, clawing back funding from ICE/CBP, and reallocating money to civil and safety agencies while pursuing permanent protections and pathways to citizenship. Ramirez envisions a comprehensive package with asylum protections, legal pathways, and an end to mass deportation practices, aiming to restore public trust and prevent a repeat of the 2024-leaning results. She signals a willingness to use investigative power to expose abuses, and to press for structural changes in immigration policy as a core Democratic mandate. The timeline centers on the current 120th Congress and the upcoming congressional year as the window to demonstrate decisive action.
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Ramirez is positioning to chair the House Homeland Security subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability, with a focus on DHS overreach, detention conditions, and the funding that supports deportation efforts.
She criticizes Stephen Miller’s promotion to chief of staff as evidence that immigration policy will not soften, and she urges Democrats to advance the most comprehensive reform possible and let the president decide how to respond.
Ramirez has publicly advocated a 'people’s vision for immigration reform' that includes citizenship for those in the shadows, permanent protections, asylum safeguards, and streamlined legal pathways, arguing this would align with public demand for bold policy.
She frames accountability as essential to affordability, arguing for investigations into federal funding used for political purposes, detention center neglect, habeas corpus violations, and the funding shifts that favor deportation.
The plan includes defunding ICE and CBP and redirecting funds to agencies like CISA, FEMA, TSA, and USCIS, with a target to claw back money via the continuing resolution if possible within the year.
Ramirez cites Chicago’s ICE operations and urges a shift away from border-focused rhetoric toward policies that bolster healthcare, housing stability, and worker protections as part of immigration reform.
She emphasizes that immigration reform is tied to broader economic goals, arguing it could expand federal revenue, boost the workforce, and create more union jobs, while safeguarding democracy.