How to Curb Trump’s Expanding Deportation Force

The public’s support for abolishing ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is gaining momentum, fueled by tragic events and rising awareness about ICE’s abuses. The recent shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota by an ICE agent has sparked outrage and increased scrutiny of the agency’s actions.

Shifting Public Opinion on ICE

Recent polling conducted by The Economist and YouGov reveals a significant shift in public attitudes. For the first time, support for abolishing ICE has surpassed opposition, with 46% favoring abolition compared to 43% against it. Additionally, retaining ICE in its current form is less popular, attracting 10% fewer supporters than the abolition proposal.

Responses to ICE’s Actions

A private memo from Blue Rose Research highlights that 76% of respondents had seen footage of the shooting incident involving Good, and 86% were aware of it. There is strong backing among voters for measures such as:

• Requiring ICE agents to obtain warrants before making arrests (+29 points).
• Banning ICE agents from wearing masks during operations (+16 points).

The widespread outrage has prompted some Democratic lawmakers to propose reforms. However, their suggested measures, such as QR codes on uniforms and mandatory body cameras, have been criticized as inadequate.

Structural Issues with ICE

ICE was established in 2003 following the reorganization of the Department of Homeland Security. Critics argue that it merely consolidated existing functions of multiple agencies rather than creating a new approach to immigration enforcement. Silky Shah, the executive director of Detention Watch, noted that historically, collaborations between ICE and local police significantly drove up deportation rates.

The Impact of Recent Policies

The legislative landscape has further complicated the situation. The Trump administration’s budget bill has dramatically increased ICE’s funding, raising its annual budget from $4-5 billion to projections of nearly $16 billion by 2028. This funding allows ICE to expand its detention capabilities significantly, with plans to hold up to 80,000 detainees concurrently.

Communities are mobilizing to prevent the establishment of new ICE facilities, particularly in areas like Social Circle, Georgia, and Merrimack, New Hampshire.

Calls for Defunding and Abolition

Efforts to limit ICE’s funding are intensifying. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has advocated redirecting ICE funding to healthcare initiatives. Meanwhile, Rep. Seth Moulton proposed a bill to reverse ICE’s funding increase, reallocating those resources to support healthcare tax credits. Other lawmakers, such as Rep. Shri Thanedar, are calling for the complete abolition of ICE.

Democratic Leadership Stance

The Democratic leadership is increasingly voicing opposition to further funding for ICE. Leader Hakeem Jeffries has stated that his caucus will not support spending bills that lack accountability measures for the agency. The success of such bills, which must be passed by January 30, will indicate the commitment of lawmakers to change ICE’s operational trajectory.

The growing public demand to curb ICE’s expanding deportation force reflects a broader push for immigration reform and accountability in enforcement practices.