Democratic National Committee Urges Congress to Abolish ICE

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) Resolutions Committee voted to urge Democratic members of Congress to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The motion, which passed 25-12 during a meeting in Austin, Texas, positions the agency's abolition as a key objective should Democrats regain power in the November midterm elections.

The resolution calls for comprehensive immigration reform to establish pathways to citizenship and end the detention of non-violent migrants. The committee asserted that immigration detention is a civil matter and that no person should be caged for such issues. Additionally, the resolution urges Congress to remove qualified immunity and pursue criminal and civil accountability for Department of Homeland Security officials who misrepresent evidence or lie under oath.

Internal party divisions emerged during the process, with the DNC approving two conflicting messages: one calling for abolition and another advocating for concrete reforms. Member Michele Johnson proposed the abolition measure, while member Yvonne Reeves-Chong argued that such a move could alienate certain voter groups. The split follows two fatal shootings by ICE agents in July.

DNC Chairman Ken Martin stated that while members disagree on the method of change, the party is united in the belief that current actions by ICE and Customs and Border Protection must stop. The vote is non-binding and does not establish the official party platform, which will be finalized at the 2028 convention.