Oversight & Accountability in Immigration Enforcement

Congressman Costa remains closely involved in how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are carrying out their work, calling for accountability and fulfilling Congress's oversight role as enforcement activity increases across the country. As these actions expand nationwide, Congress must use its full authority to make sure the law is followed, government actions are transparent, and Americans' rights are protected. Congressman Costa's actions include: 

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OVERSIGHT & ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Strongly urged the House Judiciary Committee for an investigation into DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Under leadership, there have been violations of appropriated resources, disregard for the separation of powers, and patterns of lawless behavior reverberating throughout the agency.
• Demanded President Trump to halt nationwide ICE raids targeting farmworkers, who are essential to our agricultural economy. Called on the Administration to stop enforcement actions harming farmworkers and collaborate with Congress on immigration reform.
• Sought answers from DHS related to ICE Agents expressing concern over the conduct of ICE surrounding civilians and elected officials, and their refusal to identify themselves when asked by members of the public, and conducting such actions in plain clothing.
• Pressed DHS and ICE on the illegal actions of the agency and demanded answers on how the Administration has ignored the legal and humanitarian protections afforded to current beneficiaries of DACA recipients despite clear protections.
• Demanded annual budget bills include safeguards to require clear federal standards for immigration enforcement, including mandatory identification by federal personnel during arrests, a prohibition on the use of face coverings by agents and officers, required use of body-worn cameras by ICE officers, and strict adherence to Department of Homeland Security training standards before any new agents are placed in the field.
• Conducted an oversight visit to Mesa Verde ICE facility, where individuals were being detained by ICE. ICE lacked clear answers and transparency during this visit, and the Trump Administration is currently facing a lawsuit over the unlawful restrictions they have placed on Congressmembers conducting oversight.

TAXPAYER PRIVACY & ITIN PROTECTIONS:

• Sounded the alarm regarding the use of Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), expressing concerns regarding reports that negotiations were underway in regard to the use of ITIN for immigration enforcement.
  • Under U.S. Code, tax returns and taxpayers' information are strictly confidential and can only be disclosed under narrow exceptions that do not include immigration enforcement.
• Pressed DHS on ITINs regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DHS and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), highlighting the need to uphold taxpayers privacy and not share protected information to carry out immigration enforcement.
• Signed onto court filings defending longstanding tax confidentiality legal principles and the integrity of the Individual Taxpayers Identification Number (ITIN) program. The amicus brief focuses on the extensive legislative history demonstrating Congress's consistent intent to maintain a strict firewall between tax administration and immigration enforcement. 

LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS:

• Voted NO on the Department of Homeland Funding Bill, as the bill did not contain language to adequately protect families and communities from harmful enforcement practices, and it lacked safeguards explicitly preventing non-ICE personnel from conducting immigration enforcement without appropriate oversight.
• Cosponsored H.R. 924, the NO BAN Act, legislation that would limit the President's authority to impose sweeping entry bans and prohibit discrimination in immigration-related decisions such as visa issuance, helping ensure immigration enforcement actions remain consistent with U.S. law and constitutional protections.
• Cosponsored H.R.1061, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, legislation that would place guardrails preventing ICE and Customs and Border Patrol conducting enforcement actions near places people need to access safely such as: schools, hospitals, health clinics, shelters, food banks, domestic violence/victim service providers, courthouses, DMVs, Social Security offices, places of worship, funerals, and weddings.
• Cosponsored H.R.4667, the VISIBLE Act, legislation that would prohibit federal immigration officials from wearing non-medical facemasks and require agents to identify themselves, their agency, and their badge number during public enforcement activities. This requirement promotes transparency and accountability and helps members of the public confirm that they are interacting with legitimate government officials, not impersonators.