Dem lawmaker introduces bill to abolish ICE

A Democratic lawmaker on Monday introduced legislation to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing the Trump administration’s handling of the agency. 

“From conducting raids at garden centers, and meatpacking plants, to breaking up families at churches and schools, ICE is tearing apart families and ripping the moral fabric of our nation,” Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said in a statement. 

{mosads}”Unfortunately, President Trump and his team of white nationalists, including Stephen Miller, have so misused ICE that the agency can no longer accomplish its goals effectively,” he continued.  

Pocan introduced the measure after traveling to the southern border last week.

“During my trip to the southern border, it was clear that ICE, and its actions of hunting down and tearing apart families, has wreaked havoc on far too many people,” he said. 

Pocan is one of several congressional Democrats, including Reps. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.), Jim McGovern (Mass.) and Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), to call for abolishing ICE. 

The Hill has reached out to ICE for comment. 

The calls to abolish the agency come as the Trump administration continues to face backlash for its handling of immigrants at the southern border. 

Trump last week caved to public pressure and signed an executive order to end family separations that resulted from his administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.