U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett delivered a forceful critique of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a recent U.S. Senate race debate, saying she voted against additional funding for the agency and is open to sweeping reforms — including defunding or dismantling it — amid what she described as persistent human rights violations.
Asked to explain her opposition to a bill boosting ICE’s budget and to clarify her stance on calls to defund or abolish the agency, Crockett said she could not support what she characterized as a “rogue organization” that routinely violates constitutional rights.
“I absolutely voted against this bill,” Crockett said. “There was no way I was going to continue to pump a historic amount of money into this rogue organization that is going out and violating people’s rights every single day in American cities.”
Crockett argued that ICE’s conduct does not justify increased funding, especially when, in her view, the agency fails to follow existing laws. She questioned why Congress should “reward bad behavior” when federal authorities, she said, selectively enforce or ignore the law.
The Texas Democrat also pointed to what she described as the agency’s vast resources, calling ICE “the fifth highest funded military force in the entire world,” and accused it of engaging in deadly actions that have become dangerously normalized.
“What are they doing? They’re killing people in the middle of the street,” Crockett said, referencing an alleged incident involving the death of a mother of three. “I don’t understand how we are sitting here and acting like this is normal.”
During the debate, Crockett also mentioned her support for efforts to hold senior officials accountable, including her decision to back the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whom she referred to critically while emphasizing what she sees as systemic leadership failures across the administration.
Pressed repeatedly on whether she supports abolishing or defunding ICE outright, Crockett stopped short of outlining a specific legislative plan but made clear she favors a comprehensive purge and restructuring of the agency.
“We absolutely have to clean house, whatever that looks like, I am willing to do it,” she said, adding that allegations of extremist elements within ICE would constitute a serious national concern. “If there are truly Proud Boys that are currently in ICE, that’s a problem.”
Crockett’s remarks reflect a broader debate within Democratic politics over immigration enforcement, accountability, and the future of ICE, an agency that has faced sustained criticism from civil rights groups and progressive lawmakers.
Her comments are likely to energize both supporters who favor aggressive reform and critics who argue the agency plays a vital role in national security and immigration control.
As the Senate race continues, immigration enforcement and the role of ICE appear set to remain a flashpoint issue, underscoring deep divisions over how the United States should balance border security, public safety, and human rights.
