HONOLULU (Island News) -- The deadline for negotiating a spending package for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is approaching, with funding set to expire on Friday, Feb. 13.
Democrats are still pointing to the killings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in the streets of Minneapolis last month as the major reason why reforms must be made to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protests have taken place across the country since the shooting deaths.
Besides the body cameras, many Democrats have demanded new guardrails be put in place for the ICE agents before funding is to happen, with one of the asks being to take the masks off.
"We all want immigration reform,” said U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda. “We want strong border protection, but we cannot lose our humanity and sight of our values through all of this. And if they step back for one minute and look at what is happening across our country—five-year-old children being used as bait to catch a parent."
Tokuda referenced the case of Liam Ramos, who was recently ordered released by a federal judge from ICE custody. Ramos and his father were detained in Minnesota and then sent to a facility in Texas.
Tokuda also talked about her recent visit last week to the Federal Detention Center at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. She said many of the people being held there voiced to her that they were just trying to do good in America and asked her “What did I do wrong?”
By: Jai Cunningham
Source: KITV