"Bats**t crazy": House Dems float unsuccessful amendment to bar ICE deportations of US citizens

Salon - May 1st, 2025
Open on Salon

In a recent meeting of the House Judiciary Committee, Democrats attempted to use budget amendments to restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting deportations without due process. They presented two key amendments: one to prevent ICE from deporting individuals without a legal hearing, and another to stop the deportation of U.S. citizens under any circumstances. These efforts came in response to President Donald Trump's controversial suggestion of sending U.S. citizens to a prison in El Salvador and the administration's recent deportations of Venezuelan immigrants without court proceedings. Despite strong arguments from Democrats like Rep. Pramila Jayapal and Rep. Ted Lieu, both amendments were ultimately unsuccessful due to Republican opposition.

The implications of this development are significant as it highlights ongoing tensions between the Democratic and Republican parties regarding immigration enforcement and the protection of constitutional rights. The Democrats' failure to pass these amendments raises concerns about potential abuses of power by ICE and the administration's stance on deportations, especially involving U.S. citizens. This situation underscores the broader debate over immigration policy and the extent to which it aligns with constitutional guarantees, setting a contentious stage for future legislative battles on this critical issue.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

4.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article addresses a timely and controversial topic, focusing on legislative efforts to restrict ICE deportations and the responses of Democratic lawmakers. While the narrative is clear and accessible, the article suffers from a lack of balanced perspectives and robust evidence, affecting its overall accuracy and credibility. The absence of detailed sourcing and transparency limits the reader's ability to fully understand the complexities of the issue. Despite these weaknesses, the article holds significant public interest and has the potential to influence opinion and provoke debate on immigration policy and constitutional rights.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The article presents several claims that require verification and lack sufficient evidence. For instance, the claim that Democrats proposed amendments to prevent ICE from deporting U.S. citizens and those without due process is significant but lacks direct sourcing or detailed legislative text. The assertion that President Trump suggested sending U.S. citizens to a prison in El Salvador is another critical point that is not backed by primary sources or direct quotes, making it difficult to assess its accuracy. Additionally, the story mentions deportations of Venezuelan immigrants to a notorious prison without court hearings, but does not provide concrete evidence or official records to substantiate this claim. These gaps in evidence and reliance on unsourced statements affect the overall accuracy of the article.

4
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of Democratic lawmakers, such as Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Ted Lieu, without providing a balanced view that includes Republican perspectives or responses. This one-sided representation can lead to perceived bias, as it does not adequately address the viewpoints or reasoning of those opposing the amendments. The article also fails to include any direct quotes or statements from Republican lawmakers, which could have provided a more nuanced understanding of the legislative debate and the motivations behind the rejection of the amendments.

6
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, making it relatively easy to follow. It outlines the main events and reactions succinctly, providing a straightforward narrative of the legislative process and the reactions of Democratic lawmakers. However, the lack of detailed evidence and context for some claims can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Additionally, the article could benefit from a more balanced presentation of perspectives to enhance overall clarity and understanding.

3
Source quality

The article lacks robust sourcing, relying heavily on statements from Democratic representatives without providing corroborating evidence or references from official documents, such as the actual text of the proposed amendments. The absence of primary sources, such as committee transcripts or official statements from ICE or the Trump administration, undermines the credibility of the claims made. Additionally, there is no indication of efforts to reach out to Republican lawmakers or ICE for their perspectives, which would have strengthened the article's reliability.

4
Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient transparency regarding the sources of its claims or the methodology behind its reporting. Key assertions, such as the alleged proposal by President Trump and the specifics of the amendments, are presented without clear attribution or evidence. The lack of disclosure about the sources or methods used to gather information limits the reader's ability to assess the credibility and impartiality of the article. Furthermore, the article does not address potential conflicts of interest or biases that may have influenced its reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.salon.com/2025/04/30/batst-crazy-dems-float-unsuccessful-amendment-to-bar-ice-deportations-of-us-citizens/
  2. https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/judiciary_recon_ans_xml.pdf
  3. https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-gop-advances-trump-mass-deportations-plan-huge-funding-boosts
  4. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJFcnKLR2Fe/
  5. https://immigrationforum.org/article/legislative-bulletin-friday-april-11-2025/