Policy

Dems seek to ban hiring Trump-era ICE agents

Bills have been introduced in at least four states.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, including one wearing a ‘NOT ICE’ face covering, walk near their vehicles, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Richfield, Minn. (AP Photo/Adam Gray)

Outraged by images of masked agents arresting alleged undocumented immigrants and clashing with protestors, Democratic state lawmakers are seeking to ban federal immigration agents from future jobs in state and local law enforcement agencies.

Bills introduced in at least four states — California, Illinois, Maryland and Washington — would bar state law enforcement agencies from hiring anyone who joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the Trump administration. They would specifically disqualify individuals from serving as peace officers if those individuals joined ICE after Jan. 20, 2025, when Trump returned to office.

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