Jayapal Statement on Misconduct of Seattle ICE Attorney

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal released the following statement in response to gross misconduct displayed by Seattle’s top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorney, Raphael A. Sanchez. Sanchez is accused of stealing the identities of immigrants in an effort to defraud financial institutions.

“These actions by Sanchez are outrageous and alarming. They continue a long line of reported ICE abuses reported by community members, attorneys and watchdog groups. They all show the clear need for accountability and transparency at ICE. Until then, Congress should not continue handing money and power to people who abuse it in this way. Instead of ramping up the numbers of ICE agents, as Trump and Republicans want to do, Congress must invest in oversight of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its subagencies. We cannot sit on the sidelines and allow this to continue.

“Congress has the responsibility to ensure proper oversight at agencies that have ballooned with billions of dollars and little accountability. Republicans need to stop twiddling their thumbs on this issue and make funding DHS oversight a priority.”

Issues: Immigration