Rep. Scott Peters wants to question top Homeland Security officials about the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

The La Jolla Democrat, reelected Nov. 3 to an eighth term representing California's 50th Congressional District, said he plans to push for oversight hearings on enforcement plans, agency spending and "people getting killed in the streets," as first reported by inewsource Nov. 8.

Peters serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Budget Committee. Which committees he may chair in the new Congress, set to convene in January, has not been announced.

Democrats won control of both chambers in the midterm elections. The party will hold 54 to 56 seats in the Senate and more than 250 in the 435-member House, majorities not seen since the 2008 election, according to inewsource.

Some Democrats are already compiling a list of current and former Homeland Security officials they plan to call for testimony. Among the names: Stephen Miller, whom Trump named White House chief of staff Nov. 6; former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem; current Secretary Markwayne Mullin; Border Czar Tom Homan; and former U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino.

Peters' enforcement bill gets new life

Peters introduced the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act in November 2025, when Democrats were still in the minority. The bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to wear identification and keep body cameras on, ban face masks, and restrict the use of flash bangs, rubber bullets and tear gas, NBC San Diego reported.

Peters told NBC San Diego he sees a path forward now that Democrats hold the majority. He said there are many new members to educate but that voters across the country are dissatisfied with how Trump is enforcing immigration laws. "I think moderates want to see this problem resolved," he said.

If Democrats pass his measure, Peters said he would "dare" Trump to veto it.

Veto threat looms

Any bill passed with a simple majority faces a presidential veto. Overriding one requires 67 Senate votes, well beyond the Democrats' projected majority.

That's where strategy comes in.

Tom Wong, an associate professor of political science who directs the U.S. Immigration Policy Center at UC San Diego, told inewsource Democrats could pass bills that would "publicly embarrass the Republican Party" if Trump vetoes them.

But Wong said Congress has limited ability to cut immigration enforcement funding. A law passed during Trump's first year back in office funds enforcement agencies at historic levels through 2029. Wong said the money is already allocated and enforcement agencies have what they need.

NBC San Diego reported that Congress has allocated more than $200 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Trump, funding the agency through the end of his term. Peters called that level of spending "absurd" and said unspent funds could be redirected under Congress' budget authority.

Wong said the Nov. 3 results carry a warning for both parties. If Republicans fail to compromise on immigration policy, he said, they risk undermining their own prospects in 2028.