MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Just weeks after the killing of a woman by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Congressman Rob Menendez participated in the Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Deadly Assault on Minnesota field hearing, hosted by Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05). In Minneapolis, Menendez and a group of 27 House Democrats heard testimony from elected officials, advocates, and victims of ICE and DHS abuses.
“What we've seen unfold in Minnesota is the latest escalation of one of the most egregious attacks on due process, rule of law, and immigrant and human rights that our nation has experienced in decades,” said Congressman Menendez. “I saw the escalation of the Trump Administration's aggression firsthand at Delaney Hall when over 20 armed ICE and HSI agents confronted me, Congresswoman Watson Coleman, and Congresswoman McIver and attempted to impede us from conducting legal oversight. President Trump and Secretary Noem have created a country where no one is safe. We must hold them accountable and protect our communities.”
Witnesses at yesterday’s hearing included Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, advocates, and several community members who have been victimized by ICE’s abusive and aggressive actions.
In addition to Congressman Menendez, Members of Congress and Senators participating in the hearing included Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ted Lieu (CA-36), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), , Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and James Walkinshaw (VA-11).
Congressman Menendez has been a leader on oversight of ICE. Last year, Menendez, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) were conducting legal oversight at the Delaney Hall detention facility when they were confronted by over 20 armed ICE and HSI agents in an incident that gained national attention. Menendez has signed onto articles of impeachment for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and led efforts to demand that ICE agents identify themselves when conducting enforcement operations.
###
