Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., has formally introduced legislation to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and eliminate Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bill, titled the Reimagining Safety Act, proposes replacing DHS with a new Department of Community Safety, fundamentally restructuring federal immigration enforcement and border security.
The proposal is sponsored by Ramirez, a member of the progressive "Squad," with original cosponsors including Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. Under the plan, certain customs and immigration functions would be transferred to other federal departments, while the existing enforcement structures of CBP and ICE would be eliminated. The legislation also prohibits federal funding for border walls starting in fiscal year 2027 and mandates the closure of the military detention center at Guantánamo Bay within 60 days of enactment.
What the Right Is Saying
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized the proposal in a statement to Fox News Digital, labeling it a product of the "radical left." Mullin stated, "Radical leftists are calling to defund the police and abolish DHS. It’s NEVER going to happen. Our 270,000 DHS patriots are keeping Americans SAFE— unlike this open-borders politician who refuses to prioritize Americans over illegal aliens." The conservative perspective emphasizes national security, border integrity, and the role of federal agents in maintaining public safety.
A DHS spokesperson further criticized Ramirez, stating she "should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from her district — NOT vilifying law enforcement." Republicans argue that dismantling DHS and abolishing ICE would weaken border security and remove essential tools for enforcing immigration laws, potentially leading to increased unauthorized entries and challenges in managing national security threats.
What the Left Is Saying
Rep. Ramirez argues that the current structure of DHS is flawed and requires a complete overhaul to better align with community safety goals. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Ramirez said, "Every day, Americans wake up with a new reason to dismantle DHS, reimagine safety and build something that honors our shared humanity." The progressive perspective frames the legislation as a necessary step to move away from militarized border enforcement and toward a model focused on public safety and humanitarian standards.
Supporters of the bill, including the cosigning members of Congress, contend that abolishing ICE and CBP is essential to addressing systemic issues in immigration enforcement. The proposal reflects a broader progressive platform that seeks to reduce the footprint of federal law enforcement in immigration matters and redirect resources toward community-based safety initiatives.
What the Numbers Show
The Reimagining Safety Act outlines specific structural changes to federal agencies. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Coast Guard would be transferred to the Department of Transportation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) would move to the proposed Department of Community Safety. Customs functions would hypothetically shift to the Treasury Department, while certain immigration functions would transfer to the Justice Department.
The bill targets the elimination of CBP, including Border Patrol, and ICE. It prohibits federal funding for border walls beginning in fiscal year 2027. Additionally, it requires the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention center within 60 days of the bill's enactment. Currently, DHS employs approximately 270,000 personnel, according to Secretary Mullin's statement. None of the proposed changes are in force; the legislation must pass Congress and be signed into law to take effect.
The Bottom Line
The introduction of the Reimagining Safety Act represents a significant ideological divide in Washington regarding the future of federal immigration enforcement. While the bill faces substantial hurdles in a divided Congress, it serves as a clear marker of the progressive agenda within the Democratic Party. The debate centers on whether the current DHS structure effectively balances security with civil liberties, or if a new model of community safety is required. Observers will watch for committee hearings and potential amendments as the bill moves through the legislative process, though its passage remains uncertain given the strong opposition from Republican leadership and DHS officials.