1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

I am writing to demand immediate congressional intervention in response to the escalating crisis at the Department of Homeland Security and its immigration enforcement agencies. The killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis—following the earlier killing of Renee Good—was not an isolated tragedy. It was the predictable result of leadership failure, unlawful tactics, and a deliberate campaign of misinformation at the highest levels of government. Public statements by DHS leadership initially portrayed Mr. Pretti as a violent threat. Those claims have since collapsed. Internal reviews and video evidence contradict the narrative that Mr. Pretti brandished a weapon or posed an imminent danger. Instead, available reporting indicates that federal agents initiated force against a peaceful U.S. citizen in a public place—an action for which ICE and Border Patrol had no lawful jurisdiction. Secretary Kristi Noem bears direct responsibility for these failures. She publicly repeated false claims later contradicted by her own department’s internal findings. She has since stated that her messaging was directed by the White House, implicating senior officials in a coordinated effort to mislead the public rather than tell the truth. Responsibility does not stop with Secretary Noem. Stephen Miller played a central role in shaping and promoting the false narrative that Mr. Pretti intended to carry out mass violence—claims made before any investigation had occurred and later disproven by internal reviews. Vice President J.D. Vance amplified these assertions, lending the authority of his office to statements now known to be false. Attorney General Pam Bondi has failed to ensure independent oversight or to restrain agencies operating outside constitutional bounds, despite mounting evidence of unlawful conduct. Together, these actions reflect a breakdown of command, accountability, and respect for the rule of law at the highest levels of the executive branch. Most alarming, federal courts are now documenting DHS’s willful refusal to comply with lawful court orders. A federal judge in Minnesota recently ordered ICE’s acting director to appear in person after finding repeated violations that caused significant hardship to individuals detained without due process. The court made clear that responsibility lies with DHS leadership—not line attorneys—and warned that its patience has ended. When courts are forced to compel basic compliance, Congress cannot remain passive. This is no longer a partisan issue. Republican senators have publicly called for Secretary Noem’s removal. Congressional hearings with the heads of ICE, CBP, and USCIS are scheduled for February 10 and 12. At the same time, Congress is days away from critical funding decisions that provide real leverage to impose reforms. I urge you to act now: • Remove Secretary Noem if she cannot demonstrate lawful command and truthful leadership. • Use upcoming hearings to compel sworn testimony, produce internal communications, and set enforceable deadlines. • Condition DHS and ICE funding on binding reforms, including limits on use of force, mandatory recording and evidence preservation, and penalties for violations. • Support independent investigations and referrals where court orders or civil rights have been violated. Congress must step in before courts are forced to do more. The American people deserve law enforcement agencies that operate within the Constitution. It is time to replace and reform ICE—before more lives are lost.