Work to establish independent investigations, rather than ICE-led investigations, for alleged misconduct and hold ICE and the DHS Secretary accountable to law enforcement standards.

America needs independent investigations, not ICE-led ‘investigations.’ Secretary Neom should resign or be impeached. ICE needs a uniform code of conduct, the same basic standards as law enforcement.

Welch calls for independent investigations of ICE, standardization of code of conduct, and holding the DHS Secretary accountable.

Welch Votes to Begin DHS Reform Process | Senator Welch
primary · other · model gpt-4.1

joined ... 70 bicameral Democrats in calling for a new investigation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for their warrantless purchases of Americans’ location data.

Welch supported a new investigation into DHS and ICE over warrantless purchases of Americans' location data.

Welch Joins Over 70 Bicameral Democrats in Calling for Investigation of ICE, DHS’ Warrantless Purchases of Americans’ Location Data
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.4-mini

A lot of us have been insisting that ICE have the same training and same obligations to their responsibilities as every law enforcement agency in this country has.

Welch reiterated support for requiring ICE to meet the same training and responsibility standards expected of other law enforcement agencies.

Ranking Member Welch Pulls Back Curtain on Republicans’ So-Called “Sanctuary City” Narrative
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.5

Sen. Peter Welch led 15 colleagues in a May 18, 2026 letter requesting FY27 appropriations language and oversight to stop DOD contracting that facilitates ICE detention-warehouse construction.

Welch authored and led a formal congressional letter (May 18, 2026) asking appropriations leaders to add bill/report language to curb Department of Defense use of expedited contract vehicles that DHS/ICE have used to build large detention facilities. This is a concrete legislative oversight action aimed at reining in ICE operations and increasing external congressional oversight rather than leaving matters solely to ICE internal processes.

partial same_term A for effort

Welch Leads Effort to Rein in Defense Department’s Use of Fast-Tracked Contracts to Help Build ICE Warehouses
primary · model gpt-5-mini · confidence 82%

On March 4, 2026, Sen. Welch joined a bicameral group of 70+ lawmakers asking the DHS Inspector General to open a new investigation into ICE and other DHS components' warrantless purchases of commercial location data.

This press release documents Welch's support for an independent Inspector General investigation (i.e., external to ICE) into alleged DHS/ICE misconduct (warrantless location-data purchases). It demonstrates concrete oversight activity by Welch seeking independent, non-ICE-led inquiry rather than relying on agency self-investigation.

partial same_term A for effort

Welch Joins Over 70 Bicameral Democrats in Calling for Investigation of ICE, DHS’ Warrantless Purchases of Americans’ Location Data
primary · model gpt-5-mini · confidence 78%