Abolish ICE Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
- Committees
- Homeland Security Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 16, 2026
Bottom line
This bill seeks to completely dismantle U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, transferring its remaining assets and liabilities to the Department of Homeland Security within 90 days.
What it actually does
This bill proposes the complete abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It immediately prohibits federal funds from being used for any ICE functions upon enactment, rescinds all unobligated balances, and transfers all assets and liabilities to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The agency is formally abolished 90 days after the bill's enactment.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that ICE has become an agency that prioritizes aggressive enforcement over due process, leading to mass arrests of non-criminal immigrants, deaths in custody, and the detention of American citizens. They contend that ICE has been weaponized to inflict terror and hysteria, is past reform, and its functions could be better handled by other federal agencies, making its abolishment a necessary step for justice and human rights.
Opponents contend
Opponents would likely argue that abolishing ICE would severely compromise national security and border enforcement, eliminating a critical agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, combating human trafficking, and preventing illegal entry. They would contend that the agency performs essential functions that cannot be easily absorbed by other departments without significant disruption and that its dissolution would create a dangerous vacuum in immigration enforcement, leading to increased crime and uncontrolled borders.
The bill text is very short and can be read quickly, allowing ample time for comprehensive evaluation of its direct provisions.
Section 3(a)
Prohibition of Federal Funds for ICE Functions
This provision immediately stops all federal funding for any activities, duties, or responsibilities currently assigned to the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as outlined in the Homeland Security Act of 2002 or any other law. This effectively halts all operations of ICE upon the bill's enactment, preventing the agency from carrying out its mission from the moment the bill becomes law.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this is a necessary first step to immediately halt what they describe as harmful and aggressive enforcement practices by ICE, preventing further alleged abuses while the agency is formally dissolved.
Critics contend
Critics would contend that an immediate cessation of funding would create chaos in immigration enforcement, leaving the nation vulnerable and without a clear mechanism to manage borders or internal immigration laws during a transition period.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between immediately stopping perceived abuses and ensuring a smooth, orderly transition of critical functions without creating a security vacuum.
Section 3(b)
Rescission of Funds and Transfer of Assets
This section rescinds any federal funds that have been allocated to ICE but have not yet been spent or committed as of the day before the bill's enactment. Additionally, all other assets (like property, equipment, and intellectual property) and liabilities (like debts or legal obligations) belonging to ICE are transferred to the Secretary of Homeland Security, centralizing their management during the agency's wind-down.
Section 3(c)
Formal Abolishment of ICE
This provision sets a firm date for the complete and formal abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ninety days after the bill becomes law, ICE will cease to exist as a federal agency, marking its official dissolution and the end of its legal standing as an independent entity within the Department of Homeland Security.