Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Kennedy (R-La.) on Wednesday introduced a resolution denouncing calls for the dissolution of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The resolution decries “an insult to the heroic law enforcement officers of ICE” and contends that eliminating ICE would usher in “countless illegal aliens who could pose a threat to public safety.”
“Abolishing ICE would allow dangerous criminal aliens, including violent and ruthless members of the MS-13 gang, to remain in communities in the United States,” the resolution states.
“ICE agents are the front line when it comes to enforcing our immigration laws,” Cruz said in a statement. “They risk their lives on a daily basis to protect American citizens and immigrants from violent criminals, drug cartels, and human traffickers. Calls to abolish ICE not only disregard our immigration laws and give implicit license to those who want to enter our country illegally, they also smear the heroic sacrifices of ICE agents and put people at risk, especially in border states like Texas.”
Kennedy said that calls to eliminate ICE reflect “a blatant disregard for the welfare of the American people and our nation’s immigration laws.”
“With the ever present threat of MS-13 and international terrorism, along with an opioid crisis being fought at our border, abolishing ICE is unthinkable,” the senator said. “ICE officers are in the trenches fighting those threats and protecting American families from the cross-border crime and illegal immigration that endanger our families. ICE deserves our gratitude and respect, not scorn and ridicule.”
The resolution is co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
