In an effort to reform immigration enforcement practices, Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly have put forth the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, targeting the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a press release from Senator Gallego's office, the bill aims to align ICE's use-of-force procedures with those of the Department of Justice (DOJ), ushering in standards that emphasize de-escalation and limit deadly force, while establishing a necessity to render medical aid.
The push for change follows the January 7, 2026, shooting that resulted in the death of Renée Nicole Good in Minneapolis by ICE agents. Gallego condemned the actions of ICE under President Trump's administration, stating, "The shooting of Renee Good and horrific violence we’re seeing from ICE agents in Minnesota and across the country is a disgrace and completely avoidable." He criticized the previous government's approach, led by the likes of Stephen Miller, as fostering fear rather than safety.
Senator Kelly echoed these sentiments, underscoring the need for higher accountability given the agency's budget and operational scope. Kelly commented, "With a budget larger than the U.S. Marine Corps and massive operations in U.S. cities, ICE has to be held to a higher standard. Under this administration, we’ve seen ICE harass and use deadly force against American citizens with zero accountability, creating more chaos that makes communities less safe. That isn’t acceptable." He asserts that the proposed legislation will provide necessary oversight and enforce lawful conduct, according to the same press release.
Companion legislation had already been introduced back in November in the House by Representatives Scott Peters, Dan Goldman, and Raja Krishnamoorthi. Detailing a chilling incident at a San Diego restaurant, Rep. Peters emphasized the need for immediate action, "In May, ICE agents stormed into Buona Forchetta, a small neighborhood restaurant in San Diego. They threw the owner against the wall, handcuffed all employees, and even used flash-bang grenades on bystanders outside the restaurant." He argued that current ICE practices do not contribute to public safety.
Supporters of the bill, such as Reyna E. Montoya and Rev. Dr. Cathy Clardy Patterson, have expressed strong backing. "In Arizona, families should not fear masked agents, excessive force, or intimidation simply for living their lives," Montoya, Founder & CEO of Aliento, told Senator Gallego's office, applauding the legislation as a step toward protecting constitutional rights and restoring dignity. Similarly, Patterson highlighted the bill as indicative of America's reclaiming its moral compass.
The proposed act contains numerous measures, including revised use-of-force standards, mandatory training updates, restrictions on certain equipment, clear identification requirements, and obligatory reporting on force-related incidents. It also enforces the use of body-worn and vehicle cameras, along with a system of checks involving the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and the DHS Office of Inspector General, to investigate policy violations. For those interested in delving deeper into the specifics of the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, the full text of the bill and a summary one-pager are available to be read online.
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