Anchorage — Today, the Alaska House Democrat Majority is holding an interim House Judiciary Committee hearing regarding the 40 ICE detainees currently housed in Anchorage Correctional Complex. All were brought to Alaska under the existing Department of Corrections agreement with ICE and are likely pending deportation.
“Resisting ICE agents as they do their jobs and advocating for sanctuary state-type policies is currently a priority for the Democrat party, but it has no place in Alaska,” stated House Minority Leader Mia Costello (R-Anchorage), who also serves on the House Judiciary Committee. “No interim show hearing is going to change that. Our caucus stands with the President as he undoes the failed policies of the Biden Administration and works to finally secure our borders.”
“We strongly support the federal government’s efforts to improve sensible border policies. The President is taking significant steps to address this, and our state is proud to contribute to these efforts,” stated House Judiciary member Representative Jubilee Underwood (R- Wasilla). “Let’s keep the focus on collaboration rather than politicizing the process, while ensuring we follow established procedures and maintain open communication with our partners at DOC and ICE.”
“Legislative oversight is important—but we must not confuse it with opposition to the very principle of border enforcement, which is a matter of federal jurisdiction,” said House Judiciary Committee Member Representative Sarah Vance (R-Homer). “This caucus stands with ICE, with Alaska’s Department of Corrections, and with every Alaskan who believes the rule of law still matters.”
The House Republican Caucus warns that politicizing a lawful federal-state cooperation undermines Alaska’s commitment to the rule of law and weakens our ability to secure borders while keeping communities safe.