Democrats Urge Members to Abandon ‘Abolish ICE’ Movement
Democratic leaders are being urged to reconsider the movement to abolish ICE. A memo by the Searchlight Institute, released on Wednesday, highlights this sentiment. The memo warns that reviving calls to “Abolish ICE” could derail the party’s electoral efforts.
Comparing Recent Events
The memo draws parallels between voters’ reactions to a recent incident involving ICE and the tragic murder of George Floyd in 2020. Both events occurred in Minneapolis, stirring public outrage.
Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent last week. The emotional response echoes the anger that followed Floyd’s death at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin.
Consequences of Previous Movements
- The call to “defund the police” emerged as a reaction to Floyd’s death.
- This slogan initially seemed justifiable but ultimately proved detrimental to Democratic candidates.
- Republicans successfully used this rhetoric to their advantage in the elections.
According to Blas Nuñez-Neto, a senior policy fellow at Searchlight, the similar trajectory may occur with the “Abolish ICE” movement. The memo emphasizes that abolishing ICE does not signify a reform of immigration enforcement.
Proposed Alternative: Reform and Retrain
To counteract the negative implications of the “Abolish ICE” slogan, the memo advocates for a strategy called “Reform and Retrain.” This approach focuses on enhancing the agency’s operations while ensuring accountability for its officers.
The increasing concern among Democratic-affiliated groups represents a critical moment. As the party prepares for future elections, these voices are calling for a more thoughtful and strategic discussion about immigration enforcement policies.
