Response from Rep. Sara Jacobs

Dear Mr. SVLG Blog Post,

Thank you so much for writing about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations under the Trump administration. I’m deeply concerned about their mass detention and deportation agenda, too, and that’s why this has been a key focus of my oversight responsibilities.

As you know, ICE’s tactics have gotten more and more brazen. They’ve violated people’s legal rights, utilized tactical gear, smoke grenades, and flash bangs, and arrested people at sensitive locations like schools, churches, hospitals, and more. In many of these operations, agents have relied on administrative ICE warrants rather than judicial warrants, and, in some incidents, have appeared masked or without visible identification. These tactics raise serious due‑process concerns, including allegations that some detainees are pressured to sign removal papers without access to counsel. I’m also incredibly concerned by Alligator Alcatraz, where there have been alarming reports about inhumane living conditions, lack of medical care, and denied legal rights.

Since the Trump Administration took office, I’ve led numerous oversight efforts into ICE operations. I visited the immigration detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and closer to home at the Otay Mesa detention center. I’ve also spoken to HSI leadership numerous times concerning arrests in South Park, Linda Vista, and more. I also support H.R. 4176, the No Secret Police Act, which would ban DHS officers from wearing face masks during immigration arrests. I will oppose any proposal to expand ICE’s detention footprint or budget and will push to redirect resources toward legal representation, community‑based case management, and humane processing. We must stand firm in defending the rights and dignity of every person in America, and I’ll keep fighting to build a system rooted in justice, fairness, and humanity.

Thank you again for your message. I am so grateful to people like you who reach out and advocate for our community and the future of our country – our democracy only works when everyone gets involved! If you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me again. You can call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2040 or my San Diego office at (619) 280-5353. You can also subscribe to receive my newsletter or send me another message at sarajacobs.house.gov. Thanks for keeping in touch!

Sincerely,
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