Pennsylvania State Rep. Chris Rabb, a Democratic congressional nominee who supports the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has questioned the premise of the term "illegal immigrants" and stated his desire to abolish U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and end all deportations.
Rabb, who is running to represent most of Philadelphia, made these statements during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. He also claimed that 99% of police work does not involve pursuing criminals.
When asked by Hannity about supporting "amnesty for illegals" and abolishing national borders, Rabb responded by questioning, "What are illegals?"
Hannity then defined "illegal immigrants" as "people that didn't respect our laws, borders, and sovereignty; entered the country without permission." Rabb stated he did not accept the premise of the question, arguing that "folks who have documentation" are not committing criminal acts. He affirmed his desire to "absolutely" abolish ICE and "dismantle immigrant concentration camps," advocating for an immigration system that is "fair, just, and efficient."
Rabb also commented on the concept of policing, suggesting that organized police departments are a relatively recent development. He stated, "Ultimately, what we want is to have communities that are safe, and 99% of what police do are not going after the bad guys." He added that there were ways to maintain community safety before the term "police" existed.
Regarding the policy of disarming police, a stance supported by some socialists, Rabb expressed a belief in "arming oneself," citing his family's history and a distrust of law enforcement in the past.
Rabb secured the Democratic nomination for his congressional district by defeating a more established candidate, winning in what is described as the "bluest district in America." He is expected to face independent candidate Dennis Mahoney in the general election. Rabb has previously championed progressive policies, including abolishing the death penalty and transitioning Pennsylvania to 100% renewable energy by 2050. He also introduced a bill to tax greenhouse-gas emissions.