Rep. Delia Ramirez Proposes Dismantling DHS in Radical Legislative Move

Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., has introduced groundbreaking legislation that aims to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), eliminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and abolish Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This proposal would significantly overhaul the current framework of federal immigration enforcement.

The ‘Reimagining Safety Act,’ put forth by Ramirez, seeks to replace DHS with a newly formed Department of Community Safety. While this new department would preserve some existing federal agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it would remove CBP, including the Border Patrol. This means the key federal entity responsible for securing national borders and inspecting travelers and goods would no longer exist in its current form.

Additional immigration and customs responsibilities would be reassigned to other federal departments. Notably, the original bill’s sponsors include prominent ‘Squad’ member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., along with Reps. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., and Jim McGovern, D-Mass.

Ramirez argues that the current department should be redesigned to focus more on community safety, rather than maintaining its longstanding enforcement structure.

The bill also calls for stopping federal spending on border walls starting in fiscal year 2027 and mandates shutting down the Guantánamo Bay military detention center within 60 days of the act’s initiation.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin condemned the proposal publicly, asserting that those advocating for such changes do not prioritize American security. A DHS spokesperson echoed these sentiments, suggesting Ramirez should acknowledge the law enforcement efforts within her district rather than criticize them.

Ramirez’s proposed department restructuring involves shifting the TSA and Coast Guard to the Department of Transportation. FEMA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency would join the new Department of Community Safety.

Remaining duties, such as customs activities, would transition to the Treasury Department, with specific immigration responsibilities moving to the Justice Department. However, significant legislative hurdles remain before these changes can take effect, as congressional approval and presidential endorsement are necessary for them to become law.