Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) announced on Apr. 2 the introduction of the Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act, a bipartisan bill that would fully fund the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2026 while enacting reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The announcement follows weeks of debate in Washington over immigration enforcement, with lawmakers seeking a solution that maintains funding for DHS while addressing calls for changes to ICE operations. The new legislation aims to address both issues by keeping DHS funded and aligning ICE policies with those of other law enforcement agencies.
“Government should never be brought to a standstill—certainly not when homeland security is on the line and the consequences are borne by TSA agents, Coast Guard servicemembers, FEMA personnel, frontline DHS employees, and the American people. This debate began with a legitimate call for real ICE reform, yet after weeks of political deadlock, no serious solution emerged. The right course was clear from the start: keep the Department of Homeland Security fully funded and confront the problem before us with real reform. That is precisely what this bill does. It is time to do what should have been done from the beginning: govern, reform, and protect,” Fitzpatrick said.
Suozzi said, “The American people are fed up. The chaos at our airports was awful, the Department of Homeland Security has not been fully funded during these very dangerous times, and the people are demanding that ICE live up to the standards of all other federal law enforcement. They are sick and tired of the endless blame game and they are demanding that we work together to solve the very real problems we face.” He added: “This legislation cuts through the dysfunction. It’s rooted in common sense; let’s fund DHS, keep our country safe, and hammer out real reforms of ICE.”
The proposed act includes measures such as requiring body cameras for officers; limiting use of masks; mandating visible identification; standardizing uniforms; ensuring independent investigations into officer-involved shootings; focusing enforcement on violent offenders; protecting due process rights including against wrongful detention without probable cause; setting limits on civil immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like schools or healthcare facilities without warrants except in emergencies; increasing penalties related to doxxing law enforcement personnel; expanding protections for personal information; and ensuring Customs & Border Protection remains focused on border security.
Fitzpatrick has served in Congress representing Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 according to official records according to his office. He succeeded Mike Fitzpatrick in this role as reported by Ballotpedia. Born in Philadelphia in 1973 at age 49 he currently lives in Levittown according to Wikipedia. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree from La Salle University earned in 1996 as well as a Juris Doctor from Pennsylvania State University obtained in 2001 as noted by his official biography.
Supporters say this legislation was developed using input from federal law enforcement officials as well as members across party lines including consultation with Senate partners.
