This is a press release issued on January 22, 2026
WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today announced that he will vote against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, citing serious concerns about the Trump-Vance Administration’s ongoing mass deportation policies and the resulting pattern of violence. The proposal would dramatically expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) footprint, increase new agent hires, and pour billions of dollars into detention capacity, vehicles, bonuses, and enforcement infrastructure. This expansion would effectively double ICE’s size without adequate safeguards or accountability.
“As the Representative of Nevada’s Fourth Congressional District, I have the responsibility to protect national security and the safety of my community that I love and serve,” said Rep. Horsford. “But national security without oversight or abidance to the rule of law and our civil liberties is not real security. You cannot justify massive funding increases without accountability for how that power is exercised. Agencies like ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have historically played an important role in our immigration ecosystem, yet most recently these agencies are putting our neighbor at risk and undermining public trust in law enforcement. Since the start of the Trump-Vance Administration, their actions have increasingly eroded the public trust and safety they claim to uphold. The American people deserve security and justice.”
Rep. Horsford continued: “Masked agents operating without transparency are terrorizing communities throughout the country, escalating confrontations, and putting innocent people at risk. These tactics do not make us safer; they breed fear, chaos, and mistrust in government at every level. No one should live in fear of crossing the street, dropping their children off at school, going to the doctor, or living their daily lives.”
While Congressman Horsford supports the dedicated and hard work of the public servants at the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other agencies throughout the Department, this bill enables a system with too little oversight and too much unchecked power.
“That is why I cannot, in good conscience, support this funding bill. True national security requires accountability – and until these guardrails are put in place – I cannot in good conscious vote yes.” Rep. Horsford added.
Despite the massive expansion of enforcement authority, Republicans refused to include common-sense safeguards, including:
- Requiring ICE agents to obtain judicial warrants before making arrests
- Mandating the use of body-worn cameras during enforcement operations
- Prohibiting masks or face coverings during routine enforcement
- Establishing clear, enforceable use-of-force standards
- Explicitly banning the detention or deportation of U.S. citizens
Congressman Horsford has consistently called for accountability and oversight of immigration enforcement, including:
- Speaking out after fears of ICE activity led to the closure of the Broadacres Swap Meet in his district. Watch the video here.
- Attempting to conduct an oversight visit at an ICE detention center last summer, where he was denied entry. Watch the video here.
- Returning three weeks later to successfully complete an oversight visit. Read more here.
- Horsford introduced an amendment in the House Rules Committee on January 21, 2026, to expand oversight authorities granted to Members of Congress. Click Here.
“Accountability is not optional,” Rep. Horsford concluded. “It is essential to public safety, the rule of law, and our democracy.”
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