In the News

DENVER (KDVR) — The six Democrats from Colorado’s congressional delegation are now calling for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign and for major reform to ICE operations.

The lawmakers said Alex Pretti’s parents, who live in Colorado, are fueling their calls for change.

“I will not stand by while the administration lies about Alex and his family,” Sen. Michael Bennet said.

Bennet has vowed to vote against a funding bill this week aimed at increasing the Department of Homeland Security’s budget.

“I said last week, before Alex was killed, I would vote against this legislation. The events over this weekend have only underscored my position and the desperate need for real reform,” he said.

Bennet is drafting legislation designed to rein in DHS, ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. His demands include barring ICE agents from detaining children, requiring ICE to obtain warrants before entering homes and increasing hiring, training and performance standards for ICE agents.

“It is about having an immigration system that actually works and meeting the needs of our economy, that has a process in place where people can actually apply,” Rep. Brittany Pettersen, who represents the area where Pretti’s parents live, said.

However, time is running out to fund DHS. The deadline is Friday.

“If there is a shutdown, it’s going to be because President Trump is so far outside the mainstream of conventional American approaches to the constitution and law enforcement that he’s unwilling to allow those rules to apply to ICE,” Bennet said.

While the Senate considers funding and reform, the House is considering articles of impeachment against Noem.