Schumer Urges Trump to Withdraw ICE Agents from U.S. Cities

On January 15, 2026, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer met with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss several pressing issues, including the $16 billion Gateway tunnel project linking New York City and New Jersey, healthcare policies, and immigration enforcement. Schumer emphasized the urgent need for Trump to release federal funds that had been frozen for the Gateway project, which is critical for the Northeast economy and employs thousands of workers.

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During the meeting, Schumer raised concerns about the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in urban areas, describing their raids as "terrorizing communities." He urged Trump to withdraw ICE agents from cities like Minneapolis, where recent enforcement actions have led to public outcry, particularly following a fatal incident involving immigration authorities. Schumer characterized the current approach to immigration enforcement as dangerous, stating that it puts more people at risk.

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Schumer's office released a statement following the meeting, highlighting his call for Trump to pull back ICE operations in cities, asserting that these actions are harmful and create chaos. Schumer has previously criticized the training of ICE agents, claiming they are "totally untrained" for urban policing, which can lead to tragic outcomes. He noted that police departments across the country have expressed concerns about ICE's methods and effectiveness.

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Critics of the current immigration enforcement strategy, including Schumer, argue that the presence of ICE in cities exacerbates tensions and leads to unnecessary violence. Schumer has pointed to the need for better training for ICE agents, suggesting that their lack of proper police training contributes to chaos and fatalities. This perspective is echoed by various community leaders and local law enforcement officials who advocate for a reevaluation of ICE's role in urban settings.

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The discussions between Schumer and Trump come amid broader legislative negotiations regarding healthcare and immigration policy. Schumer is advocating for a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, which expired in January. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact both the Gateway project and the future of immigration enforcement in cities across the United States.

The Hill

• “Leader Schumer told the president ICE raids are terrorizing communities,” — Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader

Washington Examiner

• “Leader Schumer also told President Trump that their actions are dangerous and putting more people at risk, and he must pull back ICE from U.S. cities.” — Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader

Washington Examiner

• “They don’t know what to do, how to do it and it ends up even killing people and causing such mayhem.” — Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader

Breitbart

This meeting highlights the ongoing tensions between federal immigration policy and local community safety, as well as the challenges facing infrastructure and healthcare negotiations in the current political climate.

New York Post