ICE should have bipartisan support

The American Press

The U.S. Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement department, better known ICE, has unfortunately been caught up in party politics, but this vital federal law enforcement agency needs to be supported on a bipartisan basis.

A number of prominent Democrats have recently called for abolishing ICE, and the issue has caught on in some congressional district political races.

However, Republicans are fighting back in defense of ICE, citing the vital protection it  provides on the border, as well as tracking down  and arresting criminal illegal aliens.

Just Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution supporting ICE to push back against those who want to abolish the agency. But sadly, the vote of 244-35 was largely along party lines with 18 Democrats voting for ICE and 34 opposing the resolution.  Most Democrats, 133, voted present.

The resolution was sponsored by Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins, who is a Republican. His resolution highlights ICE’s efforts to battle drug and human trafficking.

A similar resolution in the U.S. Senate Wednesday, sponsored  by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., was blocked from a vote by a Democrat filibuster.

ICE was created in 2003 when the U.S. Customs Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service, were merged. The agency now has more than 20,000 employees in more than 400 offices in the United States and 46 foreign countries.

It is tasked for enforcement and removal operations and Homeland Security investigations. It is unimaginable that such an important law enforcement agency could be abolished without greatly endangering our nation and its citizens.

The professionals who work at ICE and lay their lives on the line for our protection everyday of the year, also deserve our full support and appreciation for what they do.

Those who are politicizing ICE need to back off and allow Immigration and Customs  Enforcement agents do their jobs instead of dragging them into political games. ICE must have bipartisan support.

 


This editorial was written by a member of the American Press Editorial Board. Its content reflects the collaborative opinion of the board, whose members are Crystal Stevenson, John Guidroz, retired editor Jim Beam and retired staff writer Mike Jones

””

U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 supporting ICE to push back against those who want to abolish the agency.

ICE

SportsPlus

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Movie highlights injustice

Informer

The Informer: LC was almost the home of a US naval base

McNeese Sports

Roundup: Cowboys win opener, Cowgirls fall to Tennessee

Business

Trump grants conditional export authorization for Commonwealth LNG project

Local News

Weekend thunderstorms followed by a mid-week cold front in the forecast

Local News

PHOTO GALLERY: Free Valentine’s Day dental care

Local News

Landry, Murrill target New Orleans sanctuary policies in federal court

McNeese Sports

Cowboys take on struggling UNO

Local News

Ann Lagneaux teaches students to turn negative thoughts into positive ones

Local News

Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come

Local News

Unrestrained man killed in I-10 crash

McNeese Sports

Reyna, Chance lead Cowgirl comeback

Local News

Louisiana to end mass vaccine promotion

Business

Trump signs a plan for reciprocal tariffs on US trading partners

Local News

REAL ID enforcement date now just three months away

life

Several SW La. students honored at Northwestern State

Crime

Eight DeRidder High students arrested

Local News

Wicked weather this way comes on Saturday

Jim Gazzolo

Jim Gazzolo column: Garcia best Southland has to offer

McNeese Sports

Cowboys look for finishing kick

Crime

2/13: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

 BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as Trump’s secretary after close Senate vote

Local News

At Oak Park Elementary, no one eats alone

Local News

Candidate Fondel airs his views at forum