The three House Democrats behind legislation introduced Thursday to abolish U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced in a statement late Thursday that they would vote ‘no’ on their own bill if it is brought to the floor, accusing Republicans of planning to bring it up for a vote as a “political stunt.”
Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) said they would use the opportunity to debate immigration.
“We know Speaker Ryan is not serious about passing our ‘Establishing a Humane Immigration Enforcement System Act,’ so members of Congress, advocacy groups, and impacted communities will not engage in this political stunt,” the three said. “If Speaker Ryan puts our bill on the floor, we plan to vote no and will instead use the opportunity to force an urgently needed and long-overdue conversation on the House floor.”
The bill would “convene a commission of experts to provide a roadmap for Congress to implement a humane immigration enforcement system that upholds the dignity of all individuals, which includes terminating the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) within one year of enactment.”
Abolishing ICE became a larger issue among Democrats this past month after Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stunning primary victory over Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (D-NY). Ocasio-Cortez is calling to abolish ICE as part of her campaign platform.
A recent poll shows that the majority of voters oppose abolishing ICE.
Republicans were reportedly planning to bring the legislation up for a vote later this month.
“Democrats have been trying to make July 4th about abolishing ICE which is a radical, extreme position that would lead to open borders and undermine America's national security,” House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) told The Hill Thursday. “I think it's the wrong approach. I think everyone ought to be on record about where they stand on that issue.”
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