Dems & GOP take different approaches to immigration enforcement as midterms approach

WASHINGTON (TNND) — As the midterm elections approach, Democrats and Republicans are taking starkly different stances on immigration enforcement, particularly the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In Minnesota, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, has launched her gubernatorial campaign with a strong stance against ICE, declaring, “I’m running for every Minnesotan who wants ICE and its abusive tactics out of the state.”

Republicans, however, are pushing back. Tom Homan, a former acting director of ICE, argues that anti-ICE rhetoric is undermining cooperation on immigration enforcement, particularly in Minneapolis. (TNND)

Meanwhile, in Maine, Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is challenging Republican Sen. Susan Collins, criticizing the federal government’s immigration enforcement efforts. In her first campaign ad, Mills stated, “It’s a federal government that has deployed mass law enforcement onto the streets, including here in Maine, stoking fear in our communities.”

Republicans, however, are pushing back. Tom Homan, a former acting director of ICE, argues that anti-ICE rhetoric is undermining cooperation on immigration enforcement, particularly in Minneapolis. “The drawdown is going to happen based on these agreements, where the drawdown can happen even more if the hateful rhetoric in the impeachment inference should stop,” Homan said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed concerns about the impact of ICE operations on local communities, stating, “It is less safe when we have roving bands of agents marching down the street, just looking for somebody who might be concerned. And I got to tell you, everybody is concerned.”

In Seattle, Mayor Katie Wilson, a self-described democratic socialist, is taking preemptive measures by barring immigration enforcement from using city-controlled property and preventing city police from verifying the ID of federal agents.

The Democratic pushback against ICE extends to Capitol Hill, where Democrats are demanding changes to ICE enforcement practices, including the removal of masks and the implementation of body cameras, following the death of Alex Pretti.