CHICAGO — Amidst a violent and deadly pattern of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents terrorizing communities nationwide, including the recent murder of Renee Nicole Good and the cruel detention of a 5-year-old preschooler and his father in Minneapolis, seven House Democrats joined a 220-207 vote to pass $10 billion in additional funding to ICE. In total, the bill allocates over $64 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The seven House Democrats who voted for the DHS spending bill include Representatives Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Don Davis of North Carolina, Laura Gillen and Tom Suozzi of New York, Jared Golden of Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.

In response, IL-07 Congressional Candidate Anabel Mendoza released the following statement: 

“Sending even one more penny to an agency that is murdering people in our streets, ripping families apart, and kidnapping preschoolers like 5-year-old Liam Ramos is not just immoral; it is unconscionable. Last year was the deadliest in decades for people in ICE custody, with at least 32 deaths. In just the first weeks of 2026, we have already mourned another 6 lives.” 

“Every single Member of Congress who voted yes today has chosen death over dignity, violence over common sense, and division over justice. There is no plausible excuse for enabling state-sanctioned terror with taxpayer dollars. They should be gone from office, because if you cannot recognize that funding an agency that shoots mothers and fathers and detains children is an unacceptable use of public funds, you do not deserve to serve. Congress should be wielding every ounce of its power to pass bold legislation like Congresswomen Delia Ramirez and Yvette Clarke’s Melt ICE Act, and to finally end this cycle of cruelty once and for all.” 

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Anabel Mendoza is a community organizer, immigrant advocate, and the youngest candidate running for Congress in Illinois’ 7th District. A lifelong Chicagoan and the proud daughter and granddaughter of immigrants, she has dedicated her career to fighting for working families, immigrant rights, and a government that serves people, not corporations. She’s running to bring unity, honesty, and courage to Washington. For more information, visit www.anabelforcongress.com