WASHINGTON, D.C. – Debate in Washington, DC, continues over what it will take to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after lawmakers bypassed legislation on the matter while ending a partial government shutdown.
Democrats are demanding reforms to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before signing off on funding for DHS. Some of those changes include restricting ICE agents from wearing masks and requiring them to wear body cameras and display identification.
With a February 13 deadline set for legislators to come to an agreement, West Virginia’s senators are willing to agree to some requests but not if it means risking agents’ safety.
“Body cameras—fine; more adjudication or more training for deescalation—fine; but to have an officer have to have their name and serial number on their uniform as people are trying to provoke them and then subject them to doxxing and other things, which we see is happening, that’s not fine,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said Thursday on MetroNews Talkline.
Sen. Jim Justice strikes a similar tone, noting that he has no problem with requiring body cams but draws a line at anything that could put officers in harm’s way.
“From the standpoint of body cameras, I’m good. From the standpoint of doing things that would endanger those very folks that are just doing their job and they’re trying to help all of us, I’m going to stand with the folks that are trying to make this country safer and make this country better,” he said.
Democrats are also calling for judicial warrants to be required before ICE agents enter private property and require ICE to verify individuals’ status as non-citizens before holding them in immigration detention.
The issue of officers wearing masks continues to be one of the most debated topics while ICE conducts operations around the country. Capito believes if agents want to conceal their identities while working, that should be permitted.
“I think it’s ironic that we’re talking about masks because, remember two years ago, we were talking about protesters – ‘why do they get to wear masks?’ – I don’t think we should be telling the officers whether to wear a mask or not. I think they need to do the best thing for their own safety, and if wearing a mask is that, then I support that,” she said.
Her worries go beyond what could happen to officers while on the job. She is concerned that public identification of ICE agents, given the climate around immigration enforcement, could have terrible results.
“It’s not just masking. It’s ‘We want your name. We want your number so we can track you down and doxx you at your house and scare your children?’ – No. This is an effort, I think, for them to have greater abilities to really frighten ICE agents who are trying to do their jobs,” she said.
In one of the busiest cities for immigration enforcement operations, tensions remain high in Minneapolis after ICE agents shot and killed two protestors in the city over the last month. White House border czar Tom Homan announced the removal of 700 agents from the city, roughly a 25% reduction in force.
“I do think we need to turn the temperature down, and I think it’s reflected in the President, some of the things that he’s saying, and also what Tom Homan is saying now that he’s up in Minneapolis. They’re withdrawing a lot of officers and pulling back, and I think that’s the smart thing and the way it should be done,” Capito said.
While remaining supportive of ICE operations, Capito does see a path toward cutting back on some actions being taken. She wants focus to be centered on removing violent criminals who are in the country illegally.
“We’ve got to remember crossing the border is a crime in and of itself, but there is a difference between that, even though that’s illegal, and somebody who’s murdered, raped, or pillaged a house,” she said.
As DHS funding hangs in the balance, Justice remains frustrated with the back and forth across the aisle as Democrats and Republicans hold out for a resolution. He said he’s willing to compromise, but he’s tired of playing games.
“All the different things that the Democrats are throwing up and trying to put in play that basically could semi-hold us hostage in different ways, I’m not good with that,” he said.