Washington, DC -- Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement in response to an apparent attempt by ICE agents to enter the Ecuadorian Consulate in Minneapolis without permission and in violation of international agreements. 

“Yesterday’s attempt by ICE agents to force their way into the Ecuadorian Consulate represents yet another outrageous and unacceptable disregard for the rule of law by the Trump Administration’s Department of Homeland Security.  

“Diplomatic facilities are protected for a reason. Any effort by U.S. law enforcement officials to enter another country’s diplomatic facility without permission is not only unlawful, it risks setting a profoundly dangerous precedent that could put American diplomats, servicemembers, and their families abroad at risk. 

“It remains clear that ICE is completely out of control, operating without rules, restraint, or accountability—not to mention any agency coordination with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on matters related to our foreign relations. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem must resign immediately or face impeachment. Congressional Republicans must join Democrats in setting guardrails on ICE to provide accountability for the American people and stop ICE agents from acting with impunity before they trigger another international incident.”