Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal calls for reparations for illegal immigrants ‘traumatized’ by ICE

Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) is advocating for illegal immigrants to receive reparations for the trauma they endured during the Trump administration’s crackdown and ICE operations throughout the US. Jayapal made this bold statement during a hearing she hosted titled “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Attack on Children.”

The 60-year-old lawmaker, who was born in India and became a US citizen in 2000, has been an outspoken critic of President Trump and his immigration policies. She serves as the ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.

During the hearing, Jayapal emphasized the need for reparations to address the harm inflicted on immigrant families and children. She proposed that funds be allocated to provide support for those who did not receive relief after their interactions with immigration officials. However, Jayapal did not outline how these reparations would be funded or how eligibility would be determined.

If the Democrats regain control of the House and appoint Jayapal to lead the subcommittee, she has vowed to push forward with her reparations proposal. She believes that those responsible for causing harm to immigrant families should be held accountable and prosecuted for the trauma they have caused.

In response to Friday night’s House-passed stopgap bill, Jayapal expressed her refusal to allocate any more funds to Trump’s ICE or CBP without significant reforms. She criticized the agencies for their actions, citing instances where ICE and CBP agents have killed American citizens, terrorized communities, and traumatized families and children.

The bill, which passed with a 213-209 vote, aims to fund the DHS for 60 days. However, it faces uncertainty in the Senate, where Democrats are using the filibuster to block funding for DHS until reforms to ICE are implemented.

President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act has ensured funding for ICE and CBP until 2029, with the shutdown affecting other parts of Homeland Security. Despite the ongoing debate over funding and reforms, Jayapal remains committed to advocating for reparations for illegal immigrants affected by the Trump administration’s immigration policies.