House Speaker Paul Ryan called a push by some Democrats to “abolish” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “the craziest position I have ever seen,” and said it is helping Republicans gain traction ahead of the midterm election.
Some Democrats and liberal candidates for Congress are calling for ICE to be eliminated, while Democratic leaders have called for the agency to be overhauled.
[Related: GOP lawmakers condemn calls to eradicate ICE]
Rep. Mark Pocan, who like Ryan represents a district in Wisconsin, introduced a bill to eliminate ICE and allow other agencies to carry out its essential duties.
“They have really jumped the shark on the Left,” Ryan said.
The immigration enforcement agency is responsible for preventing human trafficking, drug smuggling, and the proliferation of gang violence.
“They are tripping over themselves moving over to the left,” Ryan said. “They are out of the mainstream of America, and that is why I feel very good about our position going into this fall.”
Democrats have an average eight-point lead over Republicans on the generic congressional ballot, according to RealClearPolitics.
But polls show most voters oppose abolishing ICE and support stronger border security.
[More: Trump attacks Democrats’ ‘abolish ICE’ talk amid immigration deadlock]
