Democrats disagree over abolishing or reforming ICE at DNC meeting

At the Democratic National Committee’s summer meeting in Austin, Texas, party members took opposing stands on whether the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency should be abolished or reformed. The decision comes amid sharp criticism of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration, but also highlights internal disagreements within the party ahead of the midterms.

Delegates approved two distinct messages: one advocating for the abolition of ICE, and another calling for concrete reforms of the agency. This reflects ongoing tension within the Democratic Party over the issue. The measure to abolish ICE was proposed by Michele Johnson, a Louisiana DNC member, who emphasized the need for the party to stand firm on the matter.

Not everyone agreed with abolishing ICE outright. Yvonne Reeves-Chong voted against the measure, arguing that it would only resonate with a specific segment of the party’s base while alienating others. She urged the party to focus on winning elections and implementing effective policies rather than getting bogged down in ideological debates.

DNC Chair Ken Martin, representing Minnesota, where two recent fatal shootings by ICE occurred, expressed the party’s unified sentiment that the agency’s current actions and those of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are unacceptable. He stressed that Republicans’ performance on immigration is deeply unpopular, with only 39% of U.S. adults approving of his handling of immigration policy.

Although the vote on abolishing or reforming ICE isn’t binding and won’t dictate the party’s official platform, it underscores the deep divisions within the Democratic Party on a critical issue. Candidates and lawmakers will continue to articulate their own positions on the topic.