Quigley threatens DHS funding over agent tactics

Mayoral candidate and Illinois U.S Rep. Mike Quigley will reject new ICE and CBP funding unless agents change their practices on tear gas, masks, warrantless entry, body cameras and more.

Why it matters: Federal immigration agents are facing growing accusations of unconstitutional conduct — from shootings and warrantless arrests to the use of chemical irritants on journalists and protesters — without a single known federal investigation into those actions.

Zoom in: Quigley plans to introduce an amendment to the FY26 Homeland Security appropriations bill that would restrict using the funds on immigration enforcement unless DHS:

• Ends raids at "sensitive locations" like schools, hospitals, and courthouses
• Bans agents from wearing face coverings and using chemical irritants like pepper spray on bystanders
• Requires ICE and CBP to wear body cameras
• Prohibits warrantless arrests
• Stops Border Patrol operations in non-border states without state permission.

Between the lines: Quigley's attempt to withhold federal funding could succeed where local efforts to rein in DHS agents have struggled due to a supremacy clause that grants broad immunity to federal agents in the line of duty.

• Recently, though, officials including former Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Philadelphia's district attorney have challenged the scope of that immunity and insisted that DHS agents can face local investigations, in turn prompting pushback.

What they're saying: Quigley says constituents are urging him "to do something," but he thinks recent calls by Illinois officials to defund ICE —including one Rep. Delia Ramirez is expected to announce Wednesday — have "zero chance with the majority of the public."

• "What we're offering here is a reasonable alternative, something that might actually work ... We need Homeland Security at the border and airports, but we just don't need ICE violating the Constitution and the laws of the land," he tells Axios.

Reality check: In a GOP-dominated Congress, Quigley's amendment would need some Republican support.

• While aisle-crossing is rare, he notes it has grown on issues including the Epstein files and ACA subsidy extensions, "which shows the tide is turning."
• Plus, recent polls show plummeting support for the administration's immigration tactics, prompting questions inside the White House on how to proceed, Axios reports.

Zoom out: Quigley's move happens at a time when communities across the nation, including Minneapolis after Renee Good's killing, are scrambling for paths to accountability.

Timeline: The North Side congressman plans to debut the amendment this week once the appropriations bill is introduced.

The bottom line: Quigley admits the amendment faces challenges.

• But "I think we've got a shot at the very least," he said. "It's also messaging the public that there is a middle ground here."

Meanwhile: On Tuesday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul marked "365 days of chaos" under an administration that has targeted the state, prompting "51 lawsuits and more than 100 amicus briefs that have successfully addressed a range of issues that impact Illinois residents."

• As the new year goes on, an emotional Raoul said, "We are not demoralized, and we're certainly not exhausted. We are standing our ground to defend the rights of the people of Illinois and the rule of law, and we're winning in the courts."