DHS Secretary Slams Progressive Democrat's Plan to Abolish ICE and CBP

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin has sharply criticized a legislative proposal by Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez that aims to dismantle the department and abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, along with Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Mullin stated that such proposals represent "radical leftists calling to defund the police and abolish DHS," adding that "It’s NEVER going to happen." He asserted that the "270,000 DHS patriots are keeping Americans SAFE — unlike this open-borders politician who refuses to prioritize Americans over illegal aliens."

A DHS spokesperson further condemned Ramirez's bill, asserting that she "should be thanking our law enforcement for removing these dangerous criminals from her district — NOT vilifying law enforcement." The spokesperson also claimed that "This type of rhetoric is contributing to a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line."

DHS provided a list of individuals arrested in Illinois, which it attributed to the actions of its law enforcement. The list included Rumen Georgriev, a Bulgarian national convicted of "rape with a weapon"; Abdukadir Haji of Somalia, convicted of "sex assault and rape"; and Samuel Reyes-Silva, a Cuban national convicted of "robbery and homicide."

Ramirez's legislation, titled the Reimagining Safety Act, proposes establishing a new "Department of Community Safety." While certain agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Coast Guard, and customs functions would be retained, the bill calls for the abolition of ICE and CBP. It also outlines a process for establishing a separate civil immigration system.

In response to the criticism, Ramirez stated, "Every day, Americans wake up with a new reason to dismantle DHS, reimagine safety, and build something that honors our shared humanity." She added, "The people have the power to reshape the government: instead of the weapon DHS has proven to be, we need a department built on the best parts of who we are and can be, and the best examples of how we can take care of each other in hard times."

Ramirez further accused Mullin and DHS of spreading "cheap lies and fearmongering in a desperate attempt to save face because dismantling DHS and building something new is part of how we hold them accountable, stop corruption, and end their lawlessness."

Calls to abolish ICE have gained momentum in recent months, partly fueled by bipartisan criticism of immigration policies and specific incidents, including a recent shooting of a Venezuelan national in Austin, Texas, by ICE agents, and the prior killing of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration officials.