Congress Seeks Answers on ICE’s Detention of Americans as Administration Remains Silent

In the wake of President Donald Trump’s second term, concerns have mounted regarding the treatment of Puerto Ricans and other U.S. citizens by immigration agents. Representative Adriano Espaillat, a Democrat from New York, has been at the forefront of these worries. After observing troubling reports about arrests and questioning by federal agents, Espaillat sent inquiries to the administration over ten weeks ago but has yet to receive any response.

This pattern of silence is not isolated to Espaillat. A group of at least a dozen Democratic lawmakers has reached out to the Trump administration with urgent questions regarding the detention of their constituents by immigration authorities. Specifically, the House Judiciary Committee demanded a complete list of every citizen detained under the new administration, yet none of these requests have been met with answers.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico voiced her concern, indicating that the administration’s lack of communication signifies a troubling trend. “They do not seem to recognize the power and authority and responsibility of Congress,” she noted, referring to the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during this turbulent time. She highlighted complaints from tribal nations regarding federal agents questioning the immigration status of Native citizens, raising red flags over potential racial profiling.

Norman Ornstein from the American Enterprise Institute described this behavior as unprecedented. Previous administrations may have experienced frustration with congressional responsiveness, but none have so openly dismissed it. “The message seems to be: ‘You don’t have to respond to these people,’” he stated, emphasizing the unusual nature of this disregard.

A White House spokesperson refuted allegations of circumventing congressional oversight, claiming that recent legislative successes indicate a collaborative effort between the Trump administration and Congress. However, no answers were provided regarding the unanswered inquiries from lawmakers. The Department of Homeland Security similarly failed to comment on the growing concerns.

Reports have surfaced showing that U.S. citizens have been inadvertently ensnared in the administration’s strict immigration enforcement policies. Past administrations have struggled with errors in identifying citizenship but experts now worry that Trump’s aggressive targets increase the risk for American citizens, particularly under arrest quotas set for enforcement agents.

Statements from ICE and Customs and Border Protection affirm that agents can request identification from individuals. However, specific explanations regarding the detentions have been largely omitted in responses to inquiries. Instances of citizens mistakenly detained have occurred even during Trump’s previous term when the Democrats held greater sway in Congress.

Espaillat reflected on his experience over the past eight years, noting that he received responses to immigration inquiries during the Biden administration. Conversely, some Republicans argue that they faced similar challenges in obtaining information from the Biden administration, often resorting to subpoenas. Espaillat commented on the Trump administration’s silence, suggesting, “They probably don’t have a good answer.”