Posted on 07/08/2018 10:51:07 AM PDT by yesthatjallen
The spotlight on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is about to become brighter as Congress weighs the Trump administration’s request for a huge spending boost even as a growing number of Democrats want the agency abolished.
The administration is pressing Congress for $8.3 billion in discretionary funding for ICE in fiscal 2019 — a $967 million increase over this year’s budget. Democrats are already balking at the figure out of early concern that Republicans will designate the money for bolstering enforcement efforts, including an acceleration of deportations.
The Democratic resistance is significant because the Republicans will need support from the other side of the aisle to approve any new spending bills, as the GOP remains divided over fiscal issues.
“These allocations continue to prioritize President Trump's cruel immigration policies,” Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, warned last month.
The debate over ICE enforcement, a controversial issue even under former President Obama, has only intensified under Trump, who made a get-tough approach on immigration central to his campaign message in 2016.
The subsequent backlash has arrived in the form of Democratic calls to abolish ICE, a once-fringe movement that’s gained steam in recent weeks following the shocking primary defeat of Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old activist who made the elimination of ICE — and the reallocation of its duties — a central component of her campaign.
The top Democratic leaders — Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) — have both pushed back against the “abolish ICE” message, arguing that reforming the agency is the preferable route. But Ocasio-Cortez has been joined by a handful of prominent liberal Democrats, including several 2020 presidential contenders hoping to remain on the popular side of the party’s liberal base. That list of supporters includes New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) and Cory Booker (N.J.).
Republicans have wasted no time attacking Democrats with accusations that eliminating ICE would shield immigrants in the country illegally, including some violent criminals, at the expense of public safety.
Speaking to ICE employees on Friday in Washington, Vice President Pence praised the group as “incredible patriots,” seeking to carve a clear distinction between the parties when it comes to the preserving the future of ICE and boosting its resources.
“The truth is that calls to abolish ICE are not just outrageous, they're irresponsible,” Pence said. “In this White House, let me be clear: We are with you 100 percent.”
The emotional back-and-forth sets the stage for a feisty debate over the future and funding of ICE when appropriators tackle the task later in the summer, just months before the high-stakes November midterm elections.
ETC...
It would be like I.C.E. but I.C.I.E.R.
Those advocating the elimination of immigration enforcement are advocating the elimination of the nation.
Make it NICE!!!
Let the Democrats continue to call for ICE to be abolished and when the midterms roll around, the people will let them know how they feel about that.
This should be discussed in mid term elections. A vote for Democrats is a vote to eliminate all border controls. Eliminate the agency responsible for enforcing immigration and customs and guarding the border?
That is like the Black Lives Matter crowd wanting to eliminate police. It’s insane, and the GOP and Trump should always highlight how absurd this talk is.
National Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
[Those advocating the elimination of immigration enforcement are advocating the elimination of the nation.]
That’s the new Democrat and Uniparty New World Order platform.
The Democrat side includes Venezuelan-style Socialism. For the Uniparty side see “Obamacare”.
How would you like to be a Democrat on a Red state. Talk about being stuck between a bullet to the head or the guilatine
Excellent points!!! True!
Terrible reporting. This is not true no matter how you look at it. 60% of Democrats nationally support ICE, and among just elected politicians at the federal level (the only ones whose opinion would matter), it's only a very tiny handful of Democrats that have said anything about abolishing ICE, and the ones that have all hail from only the bluest of states/districts. When they get some purple or red state/district Democrats on-board, or some Republicans, then I'll take this seriously, as of now it's totally fringe.
First we have to get rid of the Bush League Republicans.
It’s much more difficult to move the ball forward with them obstructing for the Democrats.
The DemocRATS are so nice to Illegal Alien children but don’t want to pay for it. Sooo Conflicted.
It would be entirely just if the incredible idiots Nita Loewy, Kirstin Gillibrand, et al would be attacked and raped or maimed by illegals. Because that’s exactly what they are wishing upon Americans. They want us to be targets-at-will of degenerates attacking citizens, just like Britain. Then let’s see how much they disdain ICE and support the suicidal views—opening the gates of our country to anyone—of the dummocrap party.
“Get ‘em out of here. Don’t hurt ‘em. Just get ‘em out.”
“How would you like to be a Democrat on a Red state. Talk about being stuck between a bullet to the head or the guilatine”
Kind of smells like a plan, this and the SC nominee vote. I love to watch the Rats and MSM stooges reacting to Trump as if he were some typical Bush league Pubbie.
That's simply the issue.
National Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
There should be TONS MORE ICE agents hired.
Border Patrol too
We have the manpower and technology to keep these SOBs out. DO IT
The ICE budget should be a single line item up or down vote.
I want every Democrat House and Senate traitor (er member) on the record on this one!
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