This is never okay.
House Democrats intensified their criticism of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies Tuesday after touring an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in South Texas, accusing federal officials of mistreating migrant families. The Department of Homeland Security quickly pushed back, calling the allegations false and defending the agency’s mission to enforce immigration laws and protect public safety.
The visit to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center was led by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) and included several Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Luz Rivas (D-Calif.) and Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), a prominent member of the progressive group known as “The Squad.”
Following the tour, Rivas said the issue was especially meaningful to her because she is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. She argued that many Americans are troubled by the way immigration enforcement is being carried out.
Speaking in Spanish during a news conference, Rivas said Americans do not want to see ICE agents “acting like domestic terrorists.”
She also claimed that her Los Angeles-area district has experienced some of the highest levels of ICE enforcement in Southern California.
The lawmakers toured the South Texas facility after more than 100 House Democrats called for it to be permanently closed. They alleged that migrant families, including infants, were being held in unsafe and inhumane conditions.
Pressley delivered some of the strongest criticism of the Trump administration, accusing the president of leading what she described as a “fascist administration” and urging Americans to continue resisting its immigration policies.
She argued that Americans should refuse to accept what she views as growing government overreach and called for continued public opposition.
The comments immediately drew criticism from Republicans, who argue that increasingly heated political rhetoric aimed at ICE has contributed to growing hostility toward federal immigration officers.
The Department of Homeland Security forcefully rejected the lawmakers’ claims.
A DHS spokesperson said attacks on ICE agents ignore the dangerous work they perform every day while enforcing federal law.
“Attacks and demonization of ICE law enforcement are wrong,” the spokesperson said. “Because of rhetoric like this, assaults against ICE officers have increased by more than 1,300% as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, child predators, gang members, and suspected terrorists.”
The spokesperson added that Rivas should be thanking law enforcement officers for removing dangerous criminals from communities rather than criticizing the agency.
Republican lawmakers and Trump allies have repeatedly warned that inflammatory political rhetoric could encourage hostility toward ICE officers, especially as violent incidents involving federal immigration agents have increased in recent months.
Democrats, however, continue to argue that ICE has exceeded its legal authority and should face greater oversight and accountability.
Pressley renewed her longstanding call to abolish ICE altogether.
“We have to abolish ICE,” she said, adding that agents accused of causing harm should be held accountable. She also called for ending qualified immunity protections for federal immigration officers.
Earlier this month, 111 House Democrats sent a letter to the Trump administration alleging that conditions inside the Dilley detention center are harming children and families.
According to the lawmakers, parents described children suffering from depression, emotional distress, contaminated food, unsafe drinking water, delayed medical care, and sleeping conditions where lights remained on throughout the night.
The Department of Homeland Security has strongly disputed those allegations.
In previous statements, DHS said the Dilley facility was specifically designed to house families and provide care for children while immigration cases move through the legal process.
According to the department, children have access to classrooms, teachers, educational materials, books, toys, and outdoor recreation. DHS also said families receive medical care, while infants are provided with formula, baby food, diapers, bottles, cribs, and other essential supplies funded by U.S. taxpayers.
The dispute underscores the continuing political divide over President Trump’s immigration agenda. Democrats argue ICE should undergo sweeping reforms or be abolished altogether, while the Trump administration maintains that the agency is enforcing federal law, protecting American communities, removing dangerous criminals, and strengthening border security.
As the debate over immigration continues, the clash between congressional Democrats and the Trump administration is expected to remain one of the most closely watched political battles heading into the next election cycle.