Congressional Bill Moves to Replace Department of Homeland Security

2026-10-15 politics

Washington, Wednesday, 14 October 2026.
Introduced in October 2026, the Reimagining Safety Act seeks to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security, shifting $150 billion toward community programs while altering private detention and border contracting.

Proposed Structural Overhaul

Representative Delia Ramirez (D-Illinois) formally introduced the “Reimagining Safety Act” to Congress on October 12, 2026, marking a significant legislative attempt to dismantle the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [4]. The proposed legislation seeks to abolish core enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which have operated under the DHS umbrella since the department’s inception [1]. In place of the current structure, the bill mandates the creation of a cabinet-level “Department of Community Safety” focused on public health, disaster relief, and gun violence prevention [1]. This new department would preserve non-immigration functions such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), while transferring immigration enforcement authority to the Department of Justice [2]. The legislation addresses a department that has existed for 24 years, aiming to reallocate approximately $150 billion in current DHS appropriations toward social services and community-based safety programs [3][7].

Context and Catalysts

The introduction of the bill follows a series of high-profile incidents involving federal agents during the week of October 6, 2026 [3]. On October 8, 2026, an ICE agent shot 28-year-old Oscar Belgal in the neck during an arrest attempt in New York City, an incident witnessed by his 5-year-old child [5]. Additionally, on October 11, 2026, Homeland Security Investigations agents conducted a pre-dawn search of Representative Ilhan Omar’s home in Washington, D.C., which Ramirez cited as evidence of the weaponization of federal law enforcement against political opponents [5][7]. Data indicates that since January 2025, at least 58 individuals have died in ICE custody, with numerous reported incidents of DHS-related violence contributing to the urgency of the proposal [4]. Representative Ramirez stated that every person dead in detention or separated from their family represents a reason the DHS must be dismantled and replaced with something new [2].

Political and Operational Implications

While the bill has garnered support from over 40 advocacy groups and cosponsors including Representatives Adelita Grijalva (D-Arizona) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), its passage remains unlikely in the current divided Congress [1]. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin responded to the proposal by stating that radical leftists are calling to defund the police and abolish DHS, asserting it will never happen [7]. Conversely, a January 2026 Economist/YouGov poll found that 46 percent of Americans supported abolishing ICE, compared to 43 percent who opposed it, indicating a shifting public sentiment [2]. The legislation also targets statutory grounds for inadmissibility based on “terrorist” affiliations and seeks to sunset Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [1]. Critics argue that eliminating agencies does not eliminate the government’s responsibilities for border security, cybersecurity, or counterterrorism, raising questions about operational continuity [3].

Future Outlook and Timeline

Congress is currently in recess for the November elections, meaning the bill cannot receive a vote until at least November 9, 2026 [5]. The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026, making any legislative action impossible before voters return to the polls [7]. Representative Ramirez intends for the bill to serve as a long-term ideological framework for future Democratic immigration policy rather than a measure for immediate passage [7]. If enacted, the bill proposes releasing all detained immigrants within six months, which would set a deadline around April 2027 [3]. The proposal remains a declaration of what a Democratic House might look like, signaling a renewed progressive push on federal border policy that corporate policy strategists and government contractors are monitoring closely for potential long-term impacts [1].

Sources

Department of Homeland Security Immigration Legislation