Overview
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal detailed the Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act, co-introduced with Sen. Alex Padilla, which has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- The bill would allow individuals to bring civil claims against federal officers and authorize states to sue federal agencies over violations that threaten public safety or constitutional rights.
- Blumenthal cited the narrowing of Bivens remedies and qualified immunity as reasons Congress should create clear civil recourse for alleged abuses by federal officers.
- In Minnesota, state Rep. Jamie Long said he will introduce a bill to let residents sue the federal government for civil rights violations as ICE surge operations and protests continue.
- Tensions have escalated after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good on Jan. 7, with reports of bystander harm including a family describing a tear-gas incident that left an infant briefly unresponsive.