Colorado Rep. Evans Fails to Grill ICE at House Hearing

Evans criticized 'sanctuary cities' but did not follow through on promise to question ICE about warrants and enforcement tactics.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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At a U.S. House hearing on oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, Colorado Rep. Gabe Evans tried to shift blame from immigration agents to 'sanctuary cities' for violence between federal law enforcement and communities. However, Evans did not actually grill ICE officials as he had promised before the hearing, instead only briefly questioning them about warrants and the agency's priorities.

Why it matters

The hearing took place amid growing public concern over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, including the killings of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in recent weeks. Some Republicans, including the committee chair, have called for increased oversight and accountability for immigration enforcement, but Evans did not follow through on his pledge to press ICE on these issues.

The details

Before the hearing, Evans said he planned to 'grill ICE on how its agents have been conducting some raids' and expressed concerns about ICE not needing judicial warrants to enter private homes. However, when it was his turn to question ICE officials, Evans only briefly mentioned the warrant issue and did not aggressively question them. Instead, he asked about ICE's priorities and the impact of 'sanctuary city' policies, aligning more with the agency's perspective.

  • The U.S. House hearing on oversight of the Department of Homeland Security took place on February 10, 2026.

The players

Gabe Evans

A Colorado congressman who is considered one of the most vulnerable House Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections.

Todd Lyons

The acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Andrew Garbarino

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, who called for an investigation into immigration enforcement activity.

Renee Good

A U.S. citizen who was killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis.

Alex Pretti

A U.S. citizen who was also killed by immigration officers in Minneapolis.

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What they’re saying

“I do have a lot of heartburn over ICE saying that they don't need a judicial warrant to go into somebody's private home.”

— Gabe Evans, Congressman (Denver's CBS affiliate)

“Yes, sir, ICE's focus is on the criminal aliens in neighborhoods.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Hearing transcript)

“Sir, when we deal with sanctuary jurisdictions, we do have to have more law enforcement officers on the street … .”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Hearing transcript)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This hearing highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and community concerns over aggressive tactics, with some Republicans calling for more oversight even as others like Evans appear to side more with the agency's perspective. The killings of U.S. citizens by ICE agents have fueled public outrage and demands for accountability.