WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal is pushing new legislation aimed at stopping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from arresting or deporting American citizens. The Washington Democrat and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement introduced the Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act on Tuesday.

The proposed law responds to a growing number of reports involving U.S. citizens wrongly detained or deported by immigration agents. Jayapal called the actions by ICE “illegal” and accused the agency of operating without accountability.

“ICE is a rogue force,” she said. “It is kidnapping and disappearing people off the streets with no due process. Arresting and deporting U.S. citizens is against the law—full stop.”

The bill would make it clear that federal immigration agents cannot detain or remove American citizens. It would also create penalties for any ICE officer who violates these rules.

Jayapal cited several cases of wrongful detention.

One of the most recent involves George Retes, a 25-year-old disabled U.S. military veteran. He said ICE agents arrested him during a July 10 immigration raid in California. Retes said officers broke his car window, tear-gassed him, and detained him for three days. He never received formal charges or legal representation.

“I told them I was a citizen,” Retes said during a press conference. “They didn’t care. They never told me why I was arrested. They just dumped me in downtown L.A.”

In another case, a 19-year-old citizen was held by the Department of Homeland Security for 10 days. The teen had a seizure and sought help from Border Patrol without an ID. Officials misidentified him as a Mexican national. A judge later dismissed his case, confirming he was a U.S. citizen.

There are also reports of citizen children deported to Honduras. ICE agents detained their mother, a non-citizen, during a routine immigration check-in. ICE claims the mother chose to take the children. But advocates argue she wasn’t given a real choice or enough time to make arrangements.

Civil rights groups like the ACLU and the National Immigration Project support the bill. They argue that ICE’s current practices often violate citizens’ rights and disproportionately target Latinos and naturalized Americans. Jayapal said these abuses increased during the Trump administration and have not stopped.

“The law already says ICE cannot detain or deport citizens,” she said. “But they continue doing it. Congress must act to remove any grey areas.”

The bill also comes in the wake of other cases across the country.

In Alabama, Leonardo Garcia Venegas, a Florida-born construction worker, was detained after agents questioned the validity of his Real ID. He said officers forced him to his knees, handcuffed him, and ignored his proof of citizenship. Other cases in Arizona, Florida, and New Mexico involve U.S. citizens wrongly arrested due to paperwork errors or mistaken identity.

More than two dozen House Democrats co-sponsored the legislation. Backers include Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García, Rashida Tlaib, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Judy Chu, and Jan Schakowsky. Despite its support among Democrats and civil rights advocates, the bill faces strong opposition in the Republican-controlled House. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, denied the claims.

“The media is peddling a false narrative to demonize ICE,” she said. “The agency does not detain U.S. citizens.”

Still, Jayapal believes federal law needs teeth to ensure compliance.

“This is about due process and civil rights,” she said. “We need to send a clear message—no one has the authority to take away someone’s citizenship or freedom.”

The legislation highlights long-standing concerns about immigration enforcement and racial profiling. Jayapal’s bill would not create new rights but would codify existing laws. It would also allow for legal action against ICE agents who break the rules.

Supporters say that without legislative backing, internal ICE policies lack the power to protect citizens. The bill is part of a broader push for immigration reform, government transparency, and civil liberties. Whether the legislation passes or not, Jayapal said the issue will remain front and center.

“Citizenship comes with rights,” she said. “We must protect them.”