WASHINGTON

US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday slammed recent actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and urged Congress to step in with legislation.

"What ICE is doing outside the law is state-sanctioned thuggery, and it must stop," Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Congress has the authority and the moral obligation to act, he added.

His remarks came amid protests against ICE operations and federal shootings have taken place for more than a month in the state of Minnesota. Demonstrations escalated following the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by immigration officers Saturday, and the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.

Schumer said Republicans must “step up to the plate” and work with Democrats on “real legislation, strong legislation” that would put new limits on enforcement practices.

Democrats are ready to negotiate, Schumer said, but warned that if Republicans refuse to collaborate, they are sending a message to the American people that they “choose to protect ICE over choosing to protect people’s safety.”

"Americans do not support ICE, terrorizing our streets, operating outside the law, killing American citizens.

"The madness and violence must end. Congress must act to rein in ICE and end the violence," he added.