FIRST LOOK: Shri Thanedar Targets ICE’s Legal Shield
Michigan Democrat introduces bill to end qualified immunity for agents amid $170B funding surge.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., has a new bill. The Ending Qualified Immunity for ICE Agents Act would strip U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel of a long-standing legal shield that critics say enables civil rights abuses without consequence.
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The bill — text of which was obtained exclusively by Migrant Insider — would amend federal law to bar ICE agents from invoking qualified immunity in lawsuits alleging constitutional violations.
Under the proposal, agents could no longer defend themselves by claiming they acted in good faith, believed their conduct was lawful, or that the law was not “clearly established” at the time of an incident.
The measure lands amid a historic surge in ICE funding and authority. The recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill” allocates more than $170 billion to the agency, including $45 billion in immediately available new resources.
That expansion has coincided with an uptick in aggressive enforcement tactics — from masked raids at courthouses and schools to detentions at workplaces and places of worship — fueling fears of unchecked power.
“Trump’s ICE is following a ‘deport now, ask questions later’ policy,” Thanedar said in a statement. “They are more interested in hitting quotas and racial profiling than they are in treating people with basic respect and dignity. We’ve seen ICE detain Americans with impunity and commit gross civil rights violations. Qualified immunity protects them from being held accountable. No more. No one should be above the law, especially those entrusted with enforcing it.”
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“If an ICE agent violates the law, it only makes sense they are held accountable just like civilians,” Thanedar added. “With Trump allocating an additional $75 billion to ICE, it's more important than ever that we demand strict oversight and accountability.”
Immigration advocates have warned that without reforms, the record funding in the One Big Beautiful Bill could “supercharge” abuses by ICE. The proposed legislation, they argue, would provide a vital check on a powerful agency — and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to fund impunity.
Thanedar, who represents Michigan’s 13th District, including Detroit and Downriver communities, framed the measure as part of his broader effort to safeguard civil rights and protect vulnerable communities from government overreach. The bill has not yet been assigned a number or scheduled for committee consideration.
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Seems balanced and fair with both proper intent and spirit. All qualities that Republicans appear to abhor. Thank you Shri Thanedar for the effort. Hoping for success.
All USA law enforcement must comply with the Bill of Rights, Civil Rights, & Human Rights.
Qualified Immunity is basically a never ending pardon for murder, assault, abuse, theft, civil asset seizure etc. etc. etc