Several high-profile Democrats in Congress, including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders, had previously supported the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the Trump administration. Gillibrand and Warren called for ICE to be replaced, while Sanders proposed breaking up ICE and Customs and Border Protection. Additionally, House Democrats such as Mark Pocan and Pramila Jayapal introduced legislation to “terminate” ICE and establish a new immigration enforcement system. Despite these calls to abolish ICE, there has been little resistance or pushback from Democrats about ICE enforcement under President Biden amid the ongoing border crisis.
In 2018, Gillibrand expressed concerns about ICE’s practices and called for a new agency with a different mission, while Warren criticized Trump’s actions and advocated for replacing ICE with an agency reflecting American values. Pocan introduced a bill in 2018 to terminate ICE, which was co-sponsored by several other Democratic lawmakers. Jayapal also supported ending ICE, stating that the agency is out of control. Espaillat and Velázquez also favored abolishing ICE, emphasizing the need for a new model of immigration enforcement. Blumenauer and McGovern similarly called for abolishing ICE and starting over due to the agency’s perceived toxicity.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined in the calls to abolish ICE and even suggested eliminating the Department of Homeland Security. She has repeatedly advocated for ICE’s abolition, including selling merchandise featuring “Abolish ICE.” ICE was established in 2003 as part of the Department of Homeland Security in response to the 9/11 terror attacks. The agency is currently led by Acting Director Patrick J. Lechleitner and has faced increased scrutiny amid record-high encounters at the border.
Despite these past statements and advocacy for abolishing ICE, many of the Democrats mentioned have remained silent or have not responded to inquiries about their current stance on the issue. The lack of pushback against ICE enforcement under the Biden administration has raised questions about the consistency of these Democrats’ positions on immigration enforcement. The ongoing border crisis continues to impact U.S. citizens and communities, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.
In conclusion, the debate over ICE and its role in immigration enforcement remains a contentious issue among Democrats in Congress. While some lawmakers have called for the agency’s abolition in the past, the lack of action under the current administration has led to questions about the consistency of their positions. As the border crisis continues to escalate, the need for a coherent and effective immigration policy that balances enforcement with humanitarian concerns remains a pressing issue for policymakers.
