Peter Hasson on September 12, 2018
The New York City Council passed a resolution Wednesday calling on the federal government to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which enforces the nation’s immigration laws.
Democratic Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal sponsored the resolution, which passed in a voice vote.
“ICE, under the direction of President [Donald] Trump, has demonstrated an inability to fulfil [sic] its duties without violating due process, human rights, transparency, public accountability, or an adherence to domestic and international law,” the resolution states.
America “does not need an opaque and rogue agency operating in our communities, dehumanizing our neighbors, and acting without consequence,” the resolution adds.
The Democratic Party’s left-wing base has been pushing its elected officials to join the “abolish ICE” movement, which remains unpopular with the rest of the country.
A number of likely 2020 Democratic presidential candidates have come out in favor of abolishing ICE, including New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who wants Democrats to immediately push to abolish ICE if they regain control of Congress.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, another potential 2020 Democratic candidate, has also called on Congress to abolish ICE.
