Actor John Leguizamo urged Democrats to abolish ICE and shut down immigration detention centers in a social media video outlining his priorities for the next Congress. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
"The Odyssey" actor John Leguizamo urged Democrats to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), shut down detention centers and protect abortion rights and transgender Americans on Friday, while outlining his priorities for the next Congress.
Leguizamo presented a lengthy list of demands in a video he posted on social media, along with an accompanying policy list aimed at lawmakers taking office in January. His immigration proposals also included protecting sanctuary cities, ending family separation and pursuing immigration reform.
"Alright, my project 2027, starting January 3rd: Get it done, Dems, all right? Guarantee affordable healthcare, Medicare for all, strengthen social security, abolish ICE, shut down detention centers, end family separation, immigration reform, protect sanctuary cities, comprehensive gun reform," he said in the video.
Leguizamo called for Stephen Miller to be tried and convicted over what the actor described as "ICE murders." (Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/WireImage)
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"Trial, and convict Stephen Miller for ICE murders, impeach Todd Blanche, end Citizens United, so there's no dark money in government," Leguizamo added.
Leguizamo’s agenda also extended to changes in presidential powers, elections and the Supreme Court. He called for eliminating the Electoral College, limiting presidential pardon powers, ending presidential immunity and establishing term limits for Supreme Court justices.
His economic priorities included a $20 federal minimum wage, a billionaire wealth tax, paid maternity leave and a 10% cap on credit card interest rates.
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The actor's demand to close detention centers overlaps with legislation already proposed by Democratic lawmakers, although Leguizamo's list did not provide the implementation details outlined in those bills.
Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., and Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., introduced the Melt ICE Act in January. According to Ramirez’s office, it would remove immigration detention authorities from federal law and terminate existing detention contracts within two years of enactment. Her office outlined how the legislation would redirect the agency’s funding.
"Redirects ICE funding to community-based organizations to provide wrap-around services to communities around the country," her office said in its summary of the bill.
The proposal would also prohibit new detention contracts and require DHS to submit a plan to remove immigrants from ankle monitors within six months. Funding would instead go toward community services, including housing and health care.
Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., introduced a bill to abolish ICE and Border Patrol while dismantling DHS in its current state. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for The Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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Ramirez subsequently announced a broader proposal, the Reimagining Safety Act, to dismantle DHS and replace it with a Department of Community Safety.
Her office described a plan to abolish ICE and Customs and Border Protection while preserving customs functions and agencies responsible for disaster response, transportation security and cybersecurity.
Support for cutting ICE funding is not universal among Democrats. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, previously opposed defunding.
"I don't believe in defunding ICE," Cuellar said, in a previous statement to Fox News Digital.
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In his post, the actor also called out former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.; and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., while calling for new Democratic leadership.
"My project 2027 starts Jan 3! If you have the cojones to sign on Dems and reps with wisdom. No more absences (means u Pelosi) no excuses! Enough is enough and if you can’t wrangle your peeps Hakeem then bye! ✌bye anyway you are compromised! And Schumer u too should go away! We need new leadership," the actor posted.
Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Pelosi, Jeffries, and Schumer for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Leguizamo’s latest demands followed an earlier appeal the actor made to his own audience. In January, he told followers who supported ICE to stop attending his performances and watching his films.
(From L) Colombian-US actor John Leguizamo, South African-US actress Charlize Theron, Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'O, British actor Tom Holland, US actor, screenwriter, producer Matt Damon, US actress Anne Hathaway, US actress and singer Zendaya, British film producer Emma Thomas and British-US film director Christopher Nolan pose during a photocall ahead of the premiere of the film 'The Odyssey' at the Grand Rex in Paris on July 8, 2026. (JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP via Getty Images)
DEMS SEIZE ON MIDTERM ROUT TO DEMAND ICE REFORM, BUT POLLS REVEAL A TWIST IN WHO PRIORITIZED IMMIGRATION"If you follow ICE, unfollow me, don’t come to my shows, and don’t watch my movies," Leguizamo said.
A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Donald Trump's promises since day one.
"Since Day One, DHS law enforcement has been delivering on President Trump’s promise to the American people to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists," the spokesperson said.
"Nearly 60% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. More than three million illegal aliens are out of the country and counting. Our message is clear: if you come to our country illegally, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP"Attacks and demonization of ICE law enforcement is wrong. Because of smears like this, our ICE officers are now facing a 1,600% increase in assaults, a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats," the spokesperson added.
The White House told Fox News Digital that Leguizamo was "out of touch" with Americans.
"This C-list Hollywood actor is out of touch with Americans. To most Americans, our brave ICE law enforcement officers are heroes who put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members," White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.
"President Trump will never allow criminal illegal aliens to flood into our communities," Bis added.
CJ joined Fox News Digital's team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.
CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism.
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