Indivisible Auburn WA

There have now been multiple horrific deadly shooting by immigration officials in Minnesota. In Minnesota and across the country, we are seeing an approach to immigration enforcement that is violent, ripping apart communities, and untethered from basic standards of accountability, due process, and public safety. President Trump and Secretary Kristi Noem continue to create a climate of fear, confrontation and violence. ICE has become synonymous with immigration raids, home invasions, family separation, abusive detention practices, and chronic noncompliance with the law. ICE has strayed far from its original purpose and has failed to enforce immigration laws and protect national security in a humane and just way.

I take my responsibilities as a Member of Congress seriously and am actively working to stop the lawlessness of the Department of Homeland Security before anyone else is killed. I voted against H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026. I also joined my colleagues in supporting H.Res. 996, a resolution to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors.

I could not vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security through a bill that continues writing blank checks for ICE operations that are, right now, sowing fear and chaos in American communities. This kind of enforcement does not make communities safer. It makes it harder for local public safety operations to function, and it damages the relationships that law enforcement depends on. When people are afraid to report crimes, serve as witnesses, seek medical care, or send their kids to school, everyone is less safe.

ICE must be held accountable and restructured with clear guardrails, transparency, and real accountability. Until ICE is operating within the law, with credible oversight and practices that do not endanger lives or terrorize neighborhoods, I will not support funding for ICE as it is operating in American cities.

I join my colleagues in demanding that Secretary Noem must be impeached and her oversight of ICE must be investigated thoroughly before Congress. I do not take the decision to pursue impeachment lightly. It is one of the most solemn responsibilities of the House of Representatives.

Congress must ensure accountability at the highest levels of our government. When a cabinet official willfully disregards statutes passed by Congress and obstructs lawful oversight, it diminishes trust in our institutions and threatens the constitutional framework that protects American rights and liberties. I believe these matters warrant careful consideration by the House Judiciary Committee and ultimately by the full House.

As the head of this Department, Secretary Noem must be the held responsible for the lawlessness, terror, and havoc that ICE has caused across this country, and especially in places like Minneapolis.

The killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this month have deepened concerns about federal tactics and the impact on local public safety and community trust. Accountability and reform must come now. Secretary Noem must be held accountable for the lawless behavior that ICE has committed under her stewardship.

ICE has invaded our community in Washington’s 9th district. I am working to protect those at home who are being harassed by ICE raids through providing immigration support to those who have been targeted and closely monitoring reports of ICE raids in our communities. I was also proud to stand with members of the Washington state delegation in a letter to demand ICE provide answers about unacceptable conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. I am deeply concerned by reports that the facility lacks medical services, access to legal counsel, and basic necessities for its inmates, and oftentimes faces overcrowding. This administration is failing to meet their fundamental moral and legal obligation to NWIPC’s detainees, violating their dignity. No one in our state should live under these conditions.

Nowhere is the importance of immigrants more clearly demonstrated than in Washington’s 9th District. I will continue to monitor ICE raids and work with my colleagues in Congress to create safer communities, rather than sowing hate, fear, and uncertainty.

The comments I receive from constituents are an integral part of understanding the issues that are important to our community. Please know that your input is greatly valued, and I hope that you will not hesitate to reach out to me or my office in the future.

Sincerely,

Adam Smith
Member of Congress