A group of GOP senators introduced a resolution Wednesday to condemn calls to abolish the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a move that comes as Democratic lawmakers in the House are preparing legislation that would eradicate the agency.
[Related: Legislation to eradicate ICE would dissolve agency within a year: Report]
“I am deeply troubled by the Democrats’ reckless calls to abolish ICE,” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., who spearheaded the effort, said in a statement Wednesday. “Eliminating ICE shows a blatant disregard for the welfare of the American people and our nation’s immigration laws. With the ever present threat of MS-13 and international terrorism, along with an opioid crisis being fought at our border, abolishing ICE is unthinkable.”
“ICE officers are in the trenches fighting those threats and protecting American families from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that endanger our families,” he added. “ICE deserves our gratitude and respect, not scorn and ridicule.”
Other senators who backed the resolution included Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, John Cornyn, R-Texas, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, among others.
“ICE Agents are the front line when it comes to enforcing our immigration laws. They risk their lives on a daily basis to protect American citizens and immigrants from violent criminals, drug cartels, and human traffickers,” Cruz said in a statement. “Calls to abolish ICE not only disregard our immigration laws and give implicit license to those who want to enter our country illegally, they also smear the heroic sacrifices of ICE agents and put people at risk, especially in border states like Texas. I will continue to support the brave men and women who serve as ICE agents, and urge my colleagues to stand by ICE and honor the key role it plays in keeping our country safe.”
The Trump campaign has also called on supporters to sign a petition to “protect ICE.”
“Democrats are now calling to ABOLISH ICE. Not a chance! So long as I’m your President, ICE WILL ALWAYS DEFEND OUR COUNTRY!” a Wednesday email from the Trump campaign reads. “But now I need you to stand with me and our great patriots in ICE whose jobs are being targeted by the open borders mob.”
ICE has come under scrutiny recently due to the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy to prosecute all illegal immigrants, which resulted in thousands of children being separated from their accompanying adults after being apprehended at the border.
In response, Trump signed an executive order last month to prevent the splitting up of apprehended immigrant families.
Democrats, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., and Democratic House candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, have backed abolishing ICE.
Additionally, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., is working on legislation that would dissolve ICE within a year of enactment and would establish a bipartisan group to decide which agencies would manage necessary ICE functions.
