Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is once again advocating for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws. This renewed call comes as she positions herself as a potential candidate for the Democratic presidential primary in 2027.
Ocasio-Cortez first gained national attention in 2018 when she won her congressional seat, partly due to her platform that included dismantling ICE. At that time, she even suggested that illegal immigrants should have a "right of passage" into the United States. However, she later stepped back from the “Abolish ICE” slogan after polls indicated that a majority of Democrats did not support the idea of eliminating the agency.
In a recent campaign email, Ocasio-Cortez described ICE as a "rogue agency" that should not exist, citing its formation in 2003 during the era of the Patriot Act as a reason for its abolishment. She believes that getting rid of ICE would free over a million undocumented immigrants, some of whom may have criminal records, from detention centers.
The discussion around ICE has intensified, with some officials, including border czar Tom Homan, criticizing Ocasio-Cortez for allegedly advising illegal immigrants on how to avoid ICE enforcement actions. Homan claimed that her actions are not about educating individuals on their rights but rather about helping them evade law enforcement.
As the political landscape shifts and the 2027 presidential primary approaches, Ocasio-Cortez’s stance on immigration enforcement continues to be a significant part of her campaign narrative.