Rep. Yassamin Ansari says a new dashboard launched by her and other House Democrats is meant to track ICE activity around the U.S.
Ansari recently took part in an unofficial hearing called a shadow hearing looking at ICE actions in LA as part of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Ansari and other democrats part of the committee heard from advocacy groups, local officials and people who’ve been arrested by ICE — including U.S. citizens.
In a press call after the hearing, Ansari said the database isn't in real time, but anyone can submit items that are then verified.
“It would not reveal any identities of ICE agents or put anyone in any way shape or form in any danger, it is to track and be a repository for egregious actions that have taken place across the country,” she said.
Ansari said she expects it to be a place where issues of possible misconduct can be tallied over the next several years.
The congresswoman also talked about issues she’d seen during oversight visits to the Eloy Detention Center south of Phoenix.
“From witnessing my own constituent, Yari, vomiting blood, to hearing from women desperate to share their stories of mistreatment, I leave completely horrified and incensed every single time,” she said.
Arbella Rodríguez Márquez, or Yari, is a long-time Phoenix resident and green card holder detained in Eloy. Ansari has repeatedly called on ICE to address her ongoing health issues due to cancer after visits to the detention site.
