Democrats’ intraparty fight over whether to ‘abolish’ or ‘reform’ ICE at DNC meeting

DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement that Saturday’s votes don’t set the party’s platform, but the passage of the competing measures at the Austin, Texas meeting represents an intraparty split over an issue many socialist members of the Democratic Party have increasingly highlighted ahead of the midterm elections in November.The resolution to abolish the agency calls for members of Congress “to craft legislation abolishing ICE” and restricting funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It would also close detention facilities by ending contracts with private prison companies, and supporters say the dissolution of ICE’s predecessor agency, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, serves as a precedent. Debates in recent months about reforming the agency have included policies such as deploying body cameras and not allowing agents to wear masks during operations. “Democrats made it official: they care more about protecting violent illegal aliens than American families,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “While President Trump and Republicans are securing our border and standing with law enforcement, Democrats want to let dangerous illegal criminals run wild in our communities. This resolution is political suicide, and Democrats will pay for choosing open borders over public safety, border security, and backing the blue.”President Donald Trump came under fire this winter when two U.S. citizens were killed during an altercation with ICE agents, which eventually led to the firing of former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Democrats have since looked to capitalize on voters somewhat souring on the Trump administration’s immigration policies, while Republicans have recently highlighted plunging crime statistics as debates over Democrats’ past pushes to defund the police surfaced in recent primary elections. DNC APPROVES 2028 PRIMARY SCHEDULE, GIVES SOUTH CAROLINA THE FIRST SPOT“Clearly, the one thing that unites Democrats regardless of their position on reform versus abolish or whatever other ways to change what’s happening,” DNC Chairman Ken Martin said Saturday, “Is people believe that what ICE is doing right now — and CBP and the federal government — should stop. There has to be a better way.”It was also announced on Saturday that the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee chose South Carolina to be the first state that will vote in the 2028 presidential primary.