Abolish ICE ‘in its current form,’ Democrat Andrew Gillum says
Andrew Gillum is the first Democratic candidate for governor in Florida to join calls on the left to “abolish ICE,” though his Democratic rivals all agree the Immigration and Customs Enforcement needs reform.
The agency, created in 2003, had previously been focused on deporting undocumented immigrants with serious or violent criminal records. But the Trump administration has shifted its focus to wider crackdowns on anyone, even without serious criminal records, who had entered or stayed in the country illegally, including many decades-long residents with spouses who are U.S. citizens.
The backlash has only increased because of the new policy of separating children from parents seeking asylum. That policy was mostly carried out by a separate agency, Customs and Border Patrol, though many parents are eventually transferred to ICE for immigration hearings.
Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee who has recently been bolstered by large contributions from liberal billionaires Tom Steyer and George Soros, said in a statement, “I support a comprehensive immigration overhaul that includes abolishment of ICE in its current form to be replaced with a more compassionate and focused agency that actually keeps us safer.”
“Donald Trump has turned ICE into a police and child separation agency — not a border enforcement agency that treats people humanely and compassionately,” he said. “A decision between security or compassionate immigration policy is a false choice; we can have them both, and I promise to fight for that as Governor.”
Other Democrats were critical but more cautious, all calling for “reforms” but not using the term “abolish.”
“The agency created 15 years ago clearly has lost its mission under President Trump’s divisive political agenda,” Miami Beach Mayor Phil Levine said. “It’s time to reform and refocus the agency under the DHS to be solely focused on border security and ensuring those who intend to immigrate to our country have a compassionate system that allows for a fair process to be followed.”
Former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham said Trump’s family separation policy “is utterly immoral.”
“Instead of using ICE to prevent terrorism, human smuggling, drug cartels and pursuing violent criminals, as it was created to do, Trump has abused his power to tear children from their parents and torment innocent families in search of a better life,” she said. “We need legislative reform that refocuses the agency on its intended purpose, holds bad actors within the agency accountable and protects immigrants from Trump's heartless attacks.”
Winter Park businessman Chris King “believes any comprehensive immigration reform effort should take a hard look at real reforms to ICE as an agency,” a spokesman said.
Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene said, “ICE isn’t the problem, President Trump is,” according to a spokeswoman, stating he doesn’t agree with Gillum that ICE should be abolished.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam, the state agricultural commissioner, defended ICE.
“Liberals like Andrew Gillum ought to be ashamed for attacking our brave ICE officers who keep our communities safe,” he said. “Law enforcement does just that: enforces the laws passed by Congress. Don’t blame law enforcement for Congress’ inaction.”
Putnam had criticized his GOP opponent, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, during last week’s debate for Congress’ failure to pass any of the proposed Republican immigration bills last month.
DeSantis said during the debate his security plan would reinstate the state’s cooperative relationship with ICE.