Congressman Krishnamoorthi Condemns ICE and DHS Abuses at Chicago Field Hearing: “No Agency Is Above the Law”

CHICAGO – At today’s House field hearing “Kidnapped & Disappeared: Trump’s Assault on Chicago,” Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) delivered a forceful rebuke of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, condemning ICE and DHS for unlawfully targeting citizens, silencing witnesses, and fostering a climate of fear and racial intimidation across Chicago. The full remarks are available here.

“I’m an immigrant myself — a naturalized citizen — and, like many of you, as I was growing up, people said I didn’t belong,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said in his opening remarks. “But the promise of America says you do belong — and I belong. To anybody watching this hearing, and watching this federal government say to you, effectively, that you don’t belong — don’t believe them. We are here to fight to make sure that America lives up to its promise, and that you can live your life to its fullest.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi highlighted the case of Evelyn, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen from Hoffman Estates, who was violently tackled by ICE agents while filming their actions. “A video shows her yelling, ‘I’m not resisting,’ as an officer slams her down and puts his knee on her neck — one of the most graphic scenes I’ve seen,” he said. “Let’s be clear: when ICE and DHS target citizens and silence witnesses, it betrays the trust they’re meant to protect. No agency is above the law, and we here are going to hold them accountable.”

He also questioned Reverend David Black, a Chicago pastor who was shot in the head with a pepper ball by federal agents while peacefully protesting outside ICE’s Broadview detention facility. Congressman Krishnamoorthi cited reports of overcrowded and abusive conditions inside Broadview, quoting a constituent who said, “There were up to sixty people kept in one cell and he was forced to sleep standing up.” Congressman Krishnamoorthi added, “Coercing people to give up their rights isn’t just illegal — it’s morally wrong.”

Turning to the administration’s efforts to evade oversight, Congressman Krishnamoorthi criticized ICE’s refusal to allow him entry into the Broadview facility despite federal law guaranteeing Members of Congress that right. “I went to Broadview on two occasions and demanded entry into the facility to conduct oversight and pursue legislation, as is my right under Section 527 of the DHS appropriations law. But ICE turned me away,” he said. “The law is the law, and it needs to be followed. President Trump needs to respect not only the First Amendment rights of protesters and the right to human dignity, but he must stop shielding himself from transparency and oversight by Congress.”

In closing, Congressman Krishnamoorthi addressed how DHS’s actions have emboldened racism and harassment across communities — including attacks directed at him personally. “It’s clear to me that many of DHS’s actions reflect racial profiling and that these actions have, in turn, emboldened racist vitriol against minority communities everywhere,” he said. He cited a Florida official who had called for all Indians to be deported and then mocked Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s ethnicity, writing, “I would like to report a foreign occupier. Name unpronounceable. Country of origin: Tatooine.”

“As a public official in this day and age, I’ve come to expect this type of attack and have the tools to fight back,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “But most victims aren’t in the public eye — they’re everyday Americans of color. DHS’s actions aren’t law enforcement — they amplify racial targeting and they amplify the worst in people. We are not going to stand for this. We’re not going to bow to the intimidation of the Trump administration.”

The full remarks are available here.