Several high-profile Democrats in the Senate and House, including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders, as well as House Representatives like Mark Pocan and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have previously supported the idea of abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These Democrats have criticized ICE for its enforcement practices and called for the agency to be reimagined or replaced with a new entity that aligns more closely with their values.
In 2018, Gillibrand expressed concerns that ICE had become a deportation force and advocated for separating criminal justice from immigration issues. Warren also voiced her opposition to ICE, suggesting that the agency should be replaced with an entity that reflects American values.
In a 2019 proposal, Sanders recommended breaking up ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and redistributing their responsibilities to other government departments. Additionally, House Democrats, led by Pocan, introduced legislation to terminate ICE and establish a commission for creating a more humane immigration enforcement system.
Despite these past calls for abolishing ICE, there has been little resistance from Democrats regarding ICE enforcement under President Biden, especially as the border crisis continues to impact communities across the United States. The agency, established in 2003 as part of the Department of Homeland Security, is currently led by Acting Director Patrick J. Lechleitner.
CBP data shows a significant increase in total encounters at the border in fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by ICE and other immigration enforcement agencies.
While some Democrats continue to advocate for abolishing ICE, the current focus remains on addressing the complex issues surrounding immigration enforcement and border security in a manner that reflects the values and priorities of the Biden administration.
