Terri Sewell

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, is urging Senate Democrats to “hold the line” and oppose legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, by extension, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On Thursday, all Senate Democrats opposed a procedural vote for a six bill appropriations package citing the specific legislation funding DHS and the lack of significant reforms to the agency included in the bill.

The opposition by Democrats stems from the recent killings in Minnesota of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 by Customs and Border Patrol agents and Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on Jan. 7.

Sewell said “another penny” must not be approved for ICE until the agency is reined in.

“I join with House Democrats to demand that Senate Democrats this week vote no as well,” Sewell said in a video.

“We must be a united front in our efforts to hold Trump and his administration accountable...If we in Congress fail to act in this moment, we become complicit to this madness. Minneapolis today could be Birmingham tomorrow.”

Reforms Democrats are seeking includes banning masking by DHS agents, additional oversight, requiring body cameras and requiring agents to carry identification.

The congresswoman also said she has joined a petition to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as President Donald Trump’s administration engaged in “lies” and a “cover-up” following the killings of Good and Pretti.

“Every public official and federal agent responsible, whose action and inaction led to these unjustified killings must be held accountable,” Sewell said.

AL.com contacted Sewell’s office and asked if she supported abolishing ICE, a position several of her Democratic colleagues and many Americans favor.

Her office has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Before Thursday’s vote against the appropriations package, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that Democrats will fund the other five bills if the DHS legislation is removed and handled separately, according to POLITICO.

Negotiations are taking place between Democrats, Republicans and the White House although it appears unlikely a resolution will be achieved in time to avert a government shutdown by 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Even if the Senate passed a measure that included reforms sought by Democrats the bill would need House approval. But the House is not in session this week and certain Republican lawmakers have promised to oppose an amended DHS funding bill.

Democrats are reportedly considering a continuing resolution, or short term spending budget for Homeland Security, until a compromise is met.