Democrats push bill that would ban ICE agents from becoming police officers in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Democrats have proposed a bill that would prevent any law enforcement agency in the state from employing an individual who was hired as an ICE officer since President Trump was sworn into office. Currently, legal immigrants can apply for police officer positions Providence, even if they are not U.S. citizens yet.

The ICE OUT Act is proposed legislation in the Rhode Island General Assembly, consisting of companion bills H7439 in the House and S2479 in the Senate. These bills seek to amend the state’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Due Process, Accountability, and Transparency Act by adding a new section that prohibits any law enforcement agency in Rhode Island—defined under § 42-164-2—from employing an individual who was hired as a sworn officer of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on or after January 20, 2025. The prohibition applies prospectively only. It does not affect individuals already employed by Rhode Island agencies prior to the effective date, nor does it apply retroactively. The act would take effect on October 1, 2026, meaning the hiring restriction would begin for any new hires on or after that date.

H7439 was introduced on January 30, 2026, by Representatives Grace Diaz Alzate, Mary Ann Stewart, José F. Batista, Teresa A. Tanzi, Karen Alzate Fogarty, Justine A. Caldwell Kislak, and Edith H. Ajello. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where a hearing occurred on March 4, 2026, and the measure was held for further study.

S2479, the Senate companion, was introduced on February 6, 2026, by Senator Meghan E. Kallman and co-sponsors. It remains in the Senate Judiciary Committee with no further reported actions as of mid-March 2026.

No to American ICE agents, but yes to legal immigrants

The Providence Police Department (PPD), Rhode Island’s largest municipal police force, maintains a distinctive hiring policy that allows legal immigrants—specifically lawful permanent residents (green card holders or permanent resident aliens)—to apply for police officer positions, even if they are not yet U.S. citizens.

According to the department’s recruitment requirements, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen who is a permanent resident alien eligible for and having applied for U.S. citizenship through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This provision enables qualified legal immigrants to enter the application process, complete testing, background checks, and potentially attend the police academy. However, the policy includes a firm requirement: candidates must be a U.S. citizen at the time of appointment(i.e., when officially sworn in as an officer).

If the ICE OUT Act passes, you could have U.S. citizens, to include military veterans, prohibited from becoming law enforcement while non-US are allowed to apply and possibly attend police academies.

During the House Judiciary Committee hearing on related immigration bills (including the ICE OUT Act) on March 4, 2026, concerns were raised about recruitment impacts. The Rhode Island State Police previously warned in testimony on similar measures that restrictions could alienate potential candidates and hinder law enforcement careers. Col. Michael Correia, chief of the Barrington Police Department and president of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, expressed related concerns in person during committee discussions on the broader package of bills.