Suozzi Regrets ICE Funding Vote Following Fatal Shooting
Representative Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from New York, expressed remorse on Monday regarding his bipartisan decision to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week.
Suozzi, who represents a district that backed President Donald Trump in 2024, issued his apology after the shooting death of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent. This incident occurred on Saturday. The congressman was among a handful of seven House Democrats who broke ranks with party leadership to vote in favor of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spending bill. This bill, which passed with a 210-207 vote, allocates funds to ICE and Border Patrol, along with other associated agencies.
“I didn’t perceive the DHS funding vote as a judgment on ICE’s dubious actions in Minneapolis,” Suozzi noted in a statement shared on social media. “I’m aware of the outrage among my constituents, and I accept accountability for my part in this. I’ve often condemned ICE’s misconduct, and I realize I need to illustrate that more effectively.”
The DHS funding bill ensures financial support for the Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) through the remainder of the fiscal year. It maintains ICE’s funding at $10 billion and provides $18 billion for Customs and Border Protection.
Some Democrats and Republicans voiced concerns that failing to pass the DHS bill would significantly impact agencies unrelated to immigration enforcement. They pointed out that the $75 billion allocated under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act could enable ICE to keep functioning.
“If funding lapses, it could adversely affect the U.S. Coast Guard, force TSA agents to work unpaid, and delay FEMA assistance,” stated Representative Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team did not urge their members to oppose the DHS funding bill.
Critics of ICE have been particularly vocal following Pretti’s death in January, which was the second instance of a U.S. citizen being killed by federal immigration agents.
Democratic Representative Laura Guillen from New York, who also voted to fund ICE, previously won a competitive race against a Republican incumbent in 2024. Both Suozzi and Guillen have supported measures to combat illegal immigration in the past.
Representative Vicente Gonzalez from Texas, one of the seven Democrats who supported ICE funding, reaffirmed his vote. “It wasn’t primarily about ICE funding,” he clarified. “What I stood for was ensuring that our federal agencies, especially here in South Texas, are adequately funded.” He added that disruptions could lead to a loss of FEMA support.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has pledged to oppose any ICE funding, raising the specter of a partial government shutdown as the January 30 funding deadline approaches. Senate Republicans are expected to advance a spending package that includes funding for ICE.
