Rep. Pramila Jayapal pushed the idea of reparations for illegal immigrants, arguing families affected by ICE operations should be compensated.
The Washington Democrat raised the proposal during a hearing she convened titled “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Attack on Children,” tying the idea directly to immigration enforcement actions carried out under President Donald Trump.
“We are going to have to have some form of reparation for the kids and the families that have been traumatized through all of this,” she stated.
Jayapal made it clear that she intends to pursue it if Democrats regain control of the House.
Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal calls for taxpayer-funded reparations for illegals.
JAYAPAL: “The people that have been inflicting this harm need to be prosecuted… we are going to have to have some form of reparation." pic.twitter.com/GhkFLCr1yP
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) March 27, 2026
“If I am chair of the immigration subcommittee, we will be pursuing all of these pieces,” Jayapal added, pointing to a wider set of moves she wants tied to immigration policy.
She also called for prosecutions tied to enforcement decisions, arguing officials involved in immigration crackdowns should face legal consequences.
“We need offensive actions around prosecutions. We need real accountability,” she said, “The people that have been inflicting this harm need to be prosecuted.”
Jayapal did not outline how such reparations would be funded or how eligibility would be determined, leaving the structure of the proposal unclear.
She indicated the funds would be directed toward people who did not receive relief following encounters with immigration authorities, but offered no criteria for identifying who would qualify.
“There’s a lot that’s on our plate but I want you to know how seriously we take this issue and how committed I am.”
Her position aligns with her opposition to immigration enforcement funding, which she tied to her vote against a House stopgap spending bill.
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In a statement, she wrote, “I have been clear since the start of the appropriations process; I will not vote to give Trump’s ICE or CBP another cent without major reforms.”
She accused immigration agencies of misconduct and framed enforcement actions as harmful to communities.
“ICE and CBP agents have killed American citizens on the streets, terrorized communities, and forever traumatized families and children.”
The remarks come amid ongoing fallout from ICE operations that have sparked protests and clashes across multiple cities, including incidents in Minnesota tied to demonstrations that turned violent.
The immigration fight has spilled into Congress, where lawmakers remain locked in a standoff over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan pushed back on Democratic demands, arguing the dispute is centered on restricting enforcement rather than budget concerns.
“President Donald Trump wants the entire Department of Homeland Security funded,” Homan told CNN. “But the bottom line is they want changes in ICE tactics. They want changes in policy.”
Homan pointed to longstanding legal frameworks governing immigration enforcement, arguing the rules have not shifted across administrations.
“The same laws ICE follows today have been in place during the Clinton, Obama, and now.” “The law hasn’t changed.”
He also suggested that efforts to curb enforcement are being discussed behind closed doors.
“They can say they don’t want to abolish ICE — I’m in the room,” Homan added, “They want to change operations so we arrest fewer people.”
The funding dispute has taken shape through competing legislative approaches in the House and Senate.
The Senate advanced a bipartisan measure that would reopen much of DHS while excluding funding for ICE and portions of Customs and Border Protection, an approach backed by Democrats.
House Republicans rejected that plan and instead passed a short-term bill that includes full funding for immigration enforcement, setting up a stalemate between the chambers.
Democrats have insisted that any long-term funding agreement must include new limits or oversight mechanisms for ICE operations.
Republicans have countered that those conditions would weaken enforcement and interfere with existing law.
Sen. Tom Cotton tied the shutdown to disruptions at airports, blaming Democrats for delays affecting travelers.
“The reason we’re at this impasse is that Democrats are using long TSA lines to throw a temper tantrum,” Cotton said on Fox News.
He pointed to proposed restrictions on ICE agents, including calls to limit the use of masks during operations.
“The reason why ICE officers wear masks is because radical left-wing Democrats will dox them.”
He warned that agents and their families could be targeted if those protections are removed.
“That’s why the Democrats are inflicting long TSA lines on the American people,” he added.
Democrats have framed the situation differently, arguing they support funding for certain DHS functions while opposing additional money for immigration enforcement.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen pushed back on claims that Democrats are responsible for blocking DHS funding during an exchange with ABC News host Jon Karl.
“We have said repeatedly, we should fund TSA, we should fund FEMA, we should fund the Coast Guard,” Van Hollen said. “We are not prepared to give ICE another $10 billion.”
Karl challenged that position, arguing that withholding support for broader funding effectively stalls the department.
“You’re holding up unless it doesn’t include money for ICE. That’s just a fact,” Karl stated.
“We’re not holding it up,” the Maryland Democrat sniped back.
The exchange highlighted the divide between the two sides as negotiations continue without resolution.
Some Republicans have begun calling for changes to Senate rules to move legislation forward.
Sen. Ron Johnson argued the filibuster is contributing to the gridlock and should be reconsidered.
“The split in the Senate is between those of us who believe Democrats will get rid of it next time they have the power,” Johnson said.
He warned that without procedural changes, the standoff will continue.
“Let’s get as much DHS funding as possible, move to reconciliation,” Johnson added, outlining a path to bypass the 60-vote threshold.
He tied the funding fight to national security concerns, pointing to ongoing tensions with Iran.
“When we’re at war with Iran… We can’t even fund the very agency designed to keep our homeland safe.”
