Democrats Approve Conflicting Messages: Abolish or Reform ICE

Democrats at the National Committee meeting approved two distinct messages regarding the future of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), revealing internal party divisions on immigration policy. One message calls for the abolition of the agency, while another advocates for its reform.

The votes, taken during the DNC's summer meeting, underscore strong opposition to President Donald Trump's immigration policies but also highlight disagreements within the Democratic party as midterm elections approach. ICE has been a significant target for progressive activists since 2018, with calls for its dismantling intensifying following two recent fatal encounters attributed to the agency in July.

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I think one of the reasons people don't trust the party is because we sound too academic. We sound like focus groups, like polls, because we're worried about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing, instead of just planting our feet and taking a position.

Michele Johnson, a DNC member from Louisiana, proposed the measure to abolish ICE, arguing for a clear party stance. "I think one of the reasons people don't trust the party is because we sound too academic," Johnson stated. "We sound like focus groups, like polls, because we're worried about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing, instead of just planting our feet and taking a position."

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I strongly suggest that we focus on winning elections so we can enact policies that make a difference.

However, not all committee members agreed. Yvonne Reeves-Chong voted against the abolition measure, suggesting it only has support from a segment of the base and could alienate others. "I strongly suggest that we focus on winning elections so we can enact policies that make a difference," Reeves-Chong countered.

DNC Chairman Ken Martin acknowledged the party's collective view that the current handling of immigration by federal agencies, including ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is unacceptable. "It is clear that the only thing that unites Democrats, regardless of their stance on reforming versus abolishing or any other way of changing what is happening, is that people believe that what ICE is doing right now, and CBP and the federal government, must cease," Martin said. "There has to be a better way."

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It is clear that the only thing that unites Democrats, regardless of their stance on reforming versus abolishing or any other way of changing what is happening, is that people believe that what ICE is doing right now, and CBP and the federal government, must cease. There has to be a better way.