Some Democrats sounded the alarm Wednesday and broke with their party over what they describe as an out-of-control Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that has become a magnet for bad actors.
As some Democrats call for reforming ICE, some Democrats struck a more extreme tone, including Reps. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) and Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA), who called for the agency to be eliminated entirely.
Thanedar swatted away any notion that a deal with President Donald Trump and Republicans could assuage his concerns after federal immigration agents had deployed brutal tactics on U.S. citizens as part of a nationwide crackdown on immigration.
“Well, with what’s going on, across our cities, the atrocities, the killing, the murdering of citizens, arresting little kids. What can they do? You know, there is nothing there for me to change my vote. I’m hell-bent on voting no. Strong no on this bill,” Thanedar declared to Raw Story.
“We need to abolish ICE and restart over. ICE is totally out of control,” he declared.
His blistering critique didn’t stop there. Thanedar pointed to reporting that ICE is recruiting “racist” and “power-hungry” recruits who lack basic training.
“They have no infrastructure to train them adequately. And with this $50,000 signing bonus, they’re attracting the wrong people,” he added.
Thanedar said the Trump administration is spreading hate and attracting the “saddest” candidates.
Vargas painted an even darker picture, comparing ICE agents’ conduct to military operations on domestic soil. He also wants to abolish ICE.
“I’m not supporting them in any way,” he told Raw Story, noting ICE agents are “invading homes” and using flash grenades, masks and more.
“All this s—. They think that they’re at war in our own country,” Vargas said.
Vargas, who served on the San Diego City Council for nearly 8 years, drew a stark contrast with professional law enforcement.
“I know what good law enforcement is like, and this is the worst, worst I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) said ICE has “ruined” its reputation with Americans.
“I think we’re using dismantle, or I use ‘F— ICE,’ for language,” he told Raw Story about Democrats’ messaging on ICE’s future.
Their remarks notably break from other Democrats, including Rep. Bennie Johnson, who told Raw Story, “ICE has a purpose,” but needs to be reined in.
“But you got to fix it. Overall, it has to stand the same scrutiny of any other federal law enforcement agents. You know, nothing special,” he said.
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