Ruben Gallego Declares ICE is 'Murdering Citizens in Cold Blood' Amid Funding Battle

Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is calling for congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security's immigration enforcement activities, accusing the agency of lethal misconduct following recent operations.

In an X post, Senator Gallego praised Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) for summoning DHS leaders to testify before Congress.

"This administration's private army is murdering citizens in cold blood and blatantly lying about it," Gallego wrote. "The families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and the country as a whole, deserve answers and accountability."

Senator Paul sent formal letters to the heads of three major immigration agencies requesting they testify by February 12, 2026.

The letters went to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow.

"The Department of Homeland Security has been provided an exceptional amount of funding to secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws," Paul wrote to Lyons. "Congress has an obligation to conduct oversight of those tax dollars."

Funding Debates

The oversight request comes as Congress debates funding for immigration enforcement for fiscal year 2026. Paul noted on social media that lawmakers will consider appropriating $10 billion for ICE, though the agency already received substantial increases.

"Keep in mind the BBB gave ICE about $18.7 billion per year for 4 years," Paul wrote. "So, even if we don't vote to provide ICE with additional funding, ICE would still have 87% more funding this year than last year."

Reports show Senate Democrats have threatened to block a $1.2 trillion government funding package unless restrictions are placed on immigration enforcement activities. Without a deal, funding expires Friday night, potentially triggering a partial shutdown beginning Saturday.

Even during a government shutdown, ICE activities are expected to continue as normal. According to DHS, ICE staff members must continue working despite delayed paychecks until government funding resumes.

Gallego's push for oversight is part of his broader effort to restrict ICE funding and operations. Democratic lawmakers argue that increased enforcement has led to excessive tactics and preventable deaths that demand congressional investigation.