SiX Action Partners with State Lawmakers to Hold ICE Accountable
More than 20 state legislators hold press conference spotlighting constitutional violations by ICE officers
On the day after the anniversary of the certification of the 14th Amendment — which guarantees due process and equal protection to every person on American soil, not just citizens — SiX Action joined state legislators from across the country to hold a press conference spotlighting constitutional violations by ICE officers.
Despite public outcry following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents, ICE’s brutality has only escalated. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed in Houston on his way to a construction job. Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero was killed in Biddeford, Maine, while driving through his own neighborhood. Tragically, they are not the only people who have died at the hands of ICE: we urgently need accountability against an armed and well-funded force that has been terrorizing communities in total impunity. To date, no federal immigration agent has ever been convicted of criminal wrongdoing nor held personally liable while on duty.
More than 20 state legislators representing different parts of the country, different communities, and different lived experiences joined the press conference to stand up for their constituents, introducing legislation that would allow Americans to sue ICE agents when their constitutional rights are violated. Speakers building nationwide momentum by introducing or re-introducing accountability laws included Colorado State Senator Mike Weissman, Illinois State Senator Graciela Guzman, Minnesota State Senator Omar Fateh, Utah State Senator Luz Escamilla, and Maryland Delegate Ashanti Martinez.
The press conference drew significant media attention, with live coverage from Telemundo and CBS Chicago, and features in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times, Axios, MPR News, and Univision.
It was a fitting backdrop for the accountability work happening just steps away, where that same week in Chicago, the SiX team was out in full force at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). At SiX we know that no two states are the same, and neither is the path to progress. At our booth, we met with dozens of legislators, listening to what issues are most pressing across the country, and explored ways to collaborate toward a more just and equitable future. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect, collaborate, and learn more.
After a busy day at the convention, more than 125 lawmakers, advocates, and changemakers joined SiX for an evening of connection. The night brought together old friends and new, with remarks from Illinois State Senator Graciela Guzma, SiX Senior Vice President of Programs Georgia Senator Kim Jackson, and Executive Director EJ Juarez.
That same spirit of connection carries us into December — because this work doesn't stop after one conference, and neither do we. Join us at our State Action Summit! December 1–3 in Tempe, Arizona. This is where the SiX community will come together in person; for strategy building, training, and some of the best post-election organizing energy you'll find anywhere in the country. Registration is open now.
