Omar introduces bill to redirect $140 billion in ICE funds to local recovery

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., introduced legislation Thursday that would redirect approximately $140 billion in funding from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol toward local recovery efforts. The bill, titled the Make ICE Pay Act, aims to reallocate resources previously assigned to immigration enforcement under the Big Beautiful Bill. Omar stated in a press release that the measure is a direct response to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota and seeks to provide economic relief to communities affected by Department of Homeland Security operations.

The proposed program would be administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and overseen by its inspector general. Funding would flow to local jurisdictions for distribution to nonprofits, small businesses, schools, healthcare providers, and psychological services. The legislation includes provisions for increased local-government expenses, investigations, and memorialization efforts. The program is set to expire three years after its creation.

Omar described the initiative on X as a means to hold authorities accountable, noting that ICE operations have devastated neighborhoods and businesses. She said the act would redirect the agency's budget to the communities hurt the most. However, the bill faces significant legislative hurdles given current Republican control of Congress and the White House.

Conservative leaders quickly criticized the proposal. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., posted on X that the bill is un-American and defunds law enforcement while giving funds to communities harboring criminal illegal aliens. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders also posted on X, arguing that defunding ICE weakens border security and community safety. John Nagel, a Republican running against Omar in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District this November, described her as anti-police and pro-communism on social media.

The introduction of the bill occurs while White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed last week that the Department of Homeland Security is investigating allegations involving Omar. Homan told Fox News that an ongoing criminal investigation is underway but declined to disclose details or confirm specific evidence of immigration or naturalization fraud. When asked directly if he was confirming an investigation involving Omar, Homan stated that ICE is looking into reported matters that need attention.

Omar has previously denied allegations that she married a man who critics claim is her brother as part of an immigration scheme. She has characterized these claims as bigoted lies and stated that President Trump is obsessed with her. Fox News Digital reached out to Omar's office for comment regarding the new legislation.