Washington, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after voting against a bill to fund ICE without making critical reforms.
“Virginians and Americans across the country are deeply concerned by how federal agents are operating and demand commonsense reforms to keep our communities safe.
“As a veteran, I know firsthand that the U.S. Army deployed overseas holds its soldiers to a higher standard than what we have seen from ICE on American streets — particularly after the deadly shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good in Minneapolis last month.
“Americans deserve transparency and accountability. This includes mandatory demasking, body cameras, judicial warrants, clear constitutional protections, enforceable use-of-force standards for ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers, and independent investigations when federal agents break the law. These are basic requirements.
“I am appalled that my Republican colleagues shut down the government over the weekend rather than adopt these commonsense reforms to protect our communities and ensure federal agents are held to the same standards as local law enforcement officers.”
BACKGROUND
In January, Vindman released a statement standing against a proposed ICE ‘mega-detention’ facility in Stafford County after meeting with community leaders, law enforcement, and elected officials in the region. Later that month, he voted against the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill which could have funded this detention center.
Following the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents, he also backed a resolution to impeach DHS Secretary Noem and joined 14 fellow Democratic Veterans in the U.S. House to call for a stand down of ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) interior operations.
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