Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton has introduced a bill that would allow people to sue federal immigration agents for misconduct. The "National Oversight and Enforcement of Misconduct Act" or NOEM Act, is aimed at extending civil rights protections to federal immigration authorities.
Currently, individuals who claim they have been subjected to Fourth Amendment violations - such as unreasonable searches and seizures - face significant barriers in pursuing lawsuits against ICE agents. Moulton believes that these restrictions are unjustified and that the law should not provide blanket immunity for federal agents.
The NOEM Act would add immigration agents from all federal authorities under this provision, extending it beyond just U.S. Marshals and Federal Bureau of Prisons officers to other federal officials including Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Moulton's office says that the bill is designed to ensure "ICE is not above the law — and if its officers break the law, they should be held accountable in court."
The NOEM Act does not cover all federal employees. However, this is what critics are saying about it: " ICE is not above the law," Moulton argues.
Critics of the bill say that extending civil rights protections to federal immigration authorities could lead to more legal challenges for enforcement officials and create confusion around how these laws apply to different federal agencies.
Currently, individuals who claim they have been subjected to Fourth Amendment violations - such as unreasonable searches and seizures - face significant barriers in pursuing lawsuits against ICE agents. Moulton believes that these restrictions are unjustified and that the law should not provide blanket immunity for federal agents.
The NOEM Act would add immigration agents from all federal authorities under this provision, extending it beyond just U.S. Marshals and Federal Bureau of Prisons officers to other federal officials including Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Moulton's office says that the bill is designed to ensure "ICE is not above the law — and if its officers break the law, they should be held accountable in court."
The NOEM Act does not cover all federal employees. However, this is what critics are saying about it: " ICE is not above the law," Moulton argues.
Critics of the bill say that extending civil rights protections to federal immigration authorities could lead to more legal challenges for enforcement officials and create confusion around how these laws apply to different federal agencies.