U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig’s Make ICE Pay Act seeks to block and remove nearly $140 billion in ICE funding

According to U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) Official Press Gallery on September 17, 2026, on Congress.gov, she introduced the Make ICE Pay Act, which is a proposed piece of legislation backed by Angie Craig (D-MN). It is a federal bill that aims to block nearly $140 billion in federal immigration enforcement funding and redirect it to local communities. It was created in response to high-intensity federal immigration operations, such as "Operation Metro Surge" in Minnesota, which the bill's authors allege have caused severe economic and social damage to local cities, businesses, and families.

The key provisions of the bill are the stripping approximately $139.5 billion previously allocated to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Trump administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act". The withheld billions would be transferred to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a temporary, three-year federal grant program. The funds would then be distributed to states, local governments, non-profits, and small businesses in areas impacted by ICE immigration crackdowns. Local jurisdictions could use the money to cover uncompensated local government expenses, provide small business economic relief, support local schools, and fund healthcare and psychological services.

It explicitly notes that these states are eligible: Minnesota (Operation Metro Surge) California, Illinois (Operation Midway Blitz,) Louisiana (Swamp Sweep and Catahoula 25 Crunch), Maine (Operation Catch of the Day), North Carolina (Operation Charlottes Web), and Oregon (Operation Black Rose).

You can read the full text of the bill here.

The bill has faced stark partisan division. Conservative critics have heavily pushed back against the legislation, labeling it "Un-American" and arguing that defunding border security threatens national safety. Conversely, progressive supporters view it as a necessary measure to force federal accountability and heal communities affected by aggressive enforcement tactics.

Both chambers of Congress are scheduled to return to Washington on November 9, 2026, following their recess for midterm elections.

Here you can view U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar’s Official Press Gallery.