ICE should have bipartisan support
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.