Democrats in four states seek to bar ICE employees from future civil service jobs

The Guardian World

by Chris Stein

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Democrats in four states are pushing legislation that would prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees from working in law enforcement, public education, and state civil service roles. These bills aim to impose long-term consequences on individuals who join ICE, discouraging them from pursuing careers in these fields after their time with the agency. The proposed measures come amid a significant expansion of ICE's workforce, funded by Congress, as part of efforts to carry out former President Donald Trump’s deportation policies. Democratic lawmakers argue that these initiatives are necessary to hold ICE accountable and deter future involvement in controversial enforcement actions. The bills vary in scope, with some targeting specific sectors like law enforcement, while others aim to ban ICE employees from any state civil service job. This move reflects growing opposition to ICE operations, particularly its role in deportations under the Trump administration. Critics argue that these policies contribute to a broader breakdown of trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. By restricting ICE employees’ career prospects, Democrats hope to reduce the agency’s influence and limit its ability to carry out controversial immigration enforcement actions. The bills also highlight the ongoing political divide over immigration policy in the U.S., with Democrats increasingly taking proactive steps to counteract federal immigration measures at the state level. Supporters of these initiatives see them as a way to protect vulnerable communities and promote ethical governance, while opponents argue that such restrictions could create legal challenges and undermine efforts to address illegal immigration. Ultimately, these legislative actions underscore the high stakes of the immigration debate in the U.S., with states taking creative approaches to influence federal policies. For readers interested in global politics and the evolving dynamics of immigration enforcement, this story highlights the growing tension between federal authority and state-level resistance.

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/26/2026