Illinois lawmakers clash over ICE funding as DHS bill advances

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – An Illinois congressman broke with a faction of moderate Democrats recently by voting against a Department of Homeland Security funding bill that includes billions for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, drawing sharp criticism from a Republican state lawmaker as immigration enforcement remains a flashpoint in Illinois.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Rockford, said he could not support the funding package without stronger oversight of ICE operations, arguing the agency has been used “against the American people.”

“I believe in keeping our country safe. I believe in funding our government,” Sorensen said in a social media video. “But I cannot, in good faith, support a bill that gives billions of dollars to ICE as this administration is using them against the American people.”

Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, criticized Sorensen’s vote, saying additional federal funding is needed to support ICE agents operating in a state that limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

“These federal agents put their lives on the line every day just trying to get thugs, murderers and felons off the streets that are here illegally,” Niemerg told TCS. “I sure hope the federal government allocates additional funds to Illinois to clean up our streets and get safety and security back to this state.”

Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about taxpayer-funded nonprofits that receive state grants while criticizing ICE operations or assisting individuals facing deportation. Niemerg said some organizations are explicitly focused on obstructing federal immigration enforcement, questioning whether state funding is being used in ways that conflict with federal law.

Niemerg argued the situation creates a policy contradiction, with Illinois residents paying federal taxes that fund ICE agents while state tax dollars support groups working against those same agents.

“We have tax dollars circumventing federal law, which I’d like an investigation into,” said Niemerg.

The federal measure passed with bipartisan support, though Sorensen opposed it. Sorensen argues it pours money into ICE without accountability or civil rights safeguards.

“This bill would throw tons of money without changing behavior, protecting my constituents, and restoring trust in our immigration system,” Sorensen said. “I will not support a funding package without real accountability.”

Illinois is a sanctuary state, and Chicago maintains sanctuary city policies that restrict cooperation with ICE. Niemerg, Republican spokesman on the Immigration and Human Rights committee, argued those policies have created hostility toward federal agents and undermined public safety.

“It’s very clear that the Illinois Democrats, the General Assembly and Gov. J.B. Pritzker have zero interest in securing this state and making Illinois safe,” said Niemerg.

Sorensen said he voted against the DHS funding bill after hearing from constituents and citing concerns over recent ICE enforcement actions.

“Dozens of you have reached out to our offices in Washington, Peoria, the Quad Cities and Rockford,” Sorensen said. “Your voice matters, and your voice guides my work here in Congress.”

He cited what he described as aggressive tactics by ICE, including a fatal incident during an enforcement operation in Minnesota.

“Families torn apart,” Sorensen said. “Even the killing of an unarmed American mother during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. That should stop every one of us in our tracks.”

Niemerg dismissed those arguments as politically driven, accusing Democrats in Springfield of what he called “Trump derangement syndrome” and selectively opposing immigration enforcement.

“This week on the House floor I pointed out that [former president] Barack Obama deported more people who were here illegally than Trump has since taking office again, nobody had an answer,” Niemerg said.