<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) has introduced legislation aimed at abolishing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and replacing it with a new agency called the "Department of Community Safety." The proposal was made on Tuesday, October 14, 2026, ahead of the midterm elections.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The bill goes beyond previous calls from some progressive members of Congress to eliminate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while retaining other components of DHS. Ramirez stated, "DHS was founded out of a profound national trauma, established to violate our rights under the pretense of securing our safety. But we cannot add new pains to old ones."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Ramirez detailed various issues attributed to DHS, including deaths in detention, deportations, and failures in emergency management, as reasons for dismantling the agency. She emphasized the need for a new structure to address community safety.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The proposed Reimagining Safety Act would eliminate DHS, which was established in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, and transfer several of its agencies, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Transportation Security Administration, to the new department. ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would be abolished, with funding redirected to community initiatives.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The bill has garnered support from other Democratic representatives, including Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), and Jim McGovern (D-MA), who are co-sponsors.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) criticized the proposal, arguing it does not benefit U.S. citizens and raises concerns about safety. He highlighted the impact of illegal immigration on American families and communities in a post on social media.</p>