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Jayapal calls for ICE accountability following claims of over 150 illegal detainments
The Washington lawmaker calls the detentions a violation of American rights following a report documenting over 170 citizen arrests.
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Anushka Pathak - Fri, 17, Oct 2025
- 12:43 EDT
- 32
Rep. Pramila Jayapal / Courtesy: @RepJayapal via ‘X’
Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on Oct. 17 condemned the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a report revealed over 170 U.S. citizens were detained during the first nine months of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The ProPublica report cited wrongful detentions, including a 25-year-old in Alabama, a disabled veteran in California, and a 79-year-old in Texas, along with several pregnant women and children separated from their families.
“This report is absolutely shocking,” Jayapal posted on X. “ICE does not have the authority to detain US citizens during immigration enforcement—full stop. The Trump administration is out of control, violating the rights of American citizens. They must be held accountable.”
Also Read: Jayapal flays GOP silence after Arizona lawmaker’s threat
This report is absolutely shocking.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) October 17, 2025
ICE does not have the authority to detain US citizens during immigration enforcement — full stop. The Trump administration is out of control, violating the rights of American citizens. They must be held accountable.https://t.co/5lNKEqn3G1
The investigation documented instances of citizens detained during workplace raids, street operations, and protests. It detailed how ICE agents, often acting on appearance or accent, held individuals without probable cause, resulting in injuries, prolonged detention, and distress for affected families.
Reports of physical mistreatment were common, with detainees alleging beatings, tasings, and denial of legal access. About 130 individuals, including a dozen elected officials, were arrested for allegedly obstructing agents. Among them was Senator Alex Padilla (D-California), who was handcuffed while questioning Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a raid.
Roughly 50 of the documented cases resulted in no formal charges, and many families relied on media coverage and social media to locate detained relatives, the report found
Calling the report “fake news,” the Department of Homeland Security defended the operations, stating that ICE actions targeted those “reasonably suspected” of immigration violations or assaulting officers. A spokesperson said that while mistakes were “regrettable,” they were “inevitable” in large-scale enforcement efforts.
.@ProPublica is wasting more ink with disgusting smears against our brave @ICEgov law enforcement, as they are facing more than a 1000% increase in assaults against them.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) October 16, 2025
We have said it a million times: DHS enforcement operations are HIGHLY TARGETED and are not resulting in the… pic.twitter.com/TiaBitSwdp
Jayapal’s criticism coincides with the Trump administration’s renewed deportation push, expanding raids to sanctuary cities and sectors such as agriculture and construction. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed multiple lawsuits, arguing that the tactics violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
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