Congresswoman Ramirez Proposes Bill to Abolish Border Surveillance Towers and Dismantle DHS

The announcement, made at a press conference in Chicago on Wednesday, comes days after MIT Technology Review published its investigation, "Dying on Camera," which analyzed deaths near the surveillance towers. The report found that the Department of Homeland Security does not track deaths or other metrics on the towers' success or failure, despite the system costing approximately one billion dollars.

Ramirez, who sits on the House Homeland Security Committee, stated, "The towers that we have paid a billion dollars to just don't work." She added that "there's no question that DHS has to be dismantled" and that the legislation would provide a roadmap for doing so.

The Reimagining Safety Act was developed in consultation with community groups and local and state representatives, as well as advocacy organizations Just Futures Law and Mijente, which earlier this year released a joint report on technology used by ICE. The broader proposal would replace DHS with a new Department of Community Safety, moving CISA, FEMA, TSA, and customs functions to other existing federal agencies. The text of the proposed legislation has not yet been released; Ramirez's office says it will come in the next few weeks.

This is not the first time a bill to dismantle DHS has been introduced, but previous proposals have not gained traction. The current proposal faces a steep uphill battle in Congress, where even some Democrats favor reforming rather than outright abolishing the department.

Why This Matters

The proposal directly challenges a billion-dollar border surveillance program that MIT Technology Review's investigation indicates has not prevented deaths within its range.
If successful, the legislation would represent a fundamental restructuring of U.S. homeland security, dismantling the agency created after 9/11.
The bill taps into growing public support for abolishing ICE, particularly after high-profile enforcement operations and a recent shooting of a delivery driver by an ICE agent in Austin, Texas.

Background

The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002 in response to the September 11 attacks, consolidating 22 federal agencies. Its components include ICE, CBP, TSA, FEMA, and CISA. The border surveillance tower program, which involves towers placed along the southern border, has been controversial for years, with critics questioning its effectiveness and cost. Previous attempts to dismantle DHS have failed to advance in Congress.

Key Perspectives

Representative Delia Ramirez and advocacy groups (Just Futures Law, Mijente): Argue that the border towers are ineffective and that DHS should be replaced with a department focused on community safety. The legislation is framed as a roadmap for dismantling the department. MIT Technology Review: Its investigation provided key evidence, finding that nearly 1,100 people died within range of the towers between 2015 and 2026, and that DHS does not track metrics on the towers' performance. Reform-minded Democrats: Some in Congress favor reforming ICE and DHS rather than outright abolition, suggesting the bill faces significant political obstacles even within Ramirez's own party.

What to Watch

Release of the full text of the Reimagining Safety Act in the coming weeks, which will provide specifics on the proposed restructuring.
Congressional reactions, particularly from Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee, to gauge the bill's viability.
Potential response from the Trump administration, which has expanded enforcement operations and detention infrastructure.

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