By: Brian Evans

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency was a division of immigration enforcement that was created as a response to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001. The agency was born in 2003, and is responsible for both the Enforcement and Removal Operations of illegals (DRO), and the deportation of undocumented immigrants (illegal aliens). ICE is also responsible for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), that is supposed to keep America and American’s safe.

In a letter released to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, nineteen senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigators have called for the disbandment of the 20,000 strong agency.

The agents’ letter, said that the investigators expressed concern that with the growing immigration pressures, and President Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy crackdown on illegal alien border crossing, and that it has made it more difficult for them to conduct major investigations into significant national security issues. Primarily, due to the vast numbers of illegal immigrants coming across the border, and those already in the United States. Before, it wasn’t a strain on the department, because the Obama Administration instituted catch and release, which allowed ICE to release the illegals into the United States population, rather than have to go through the process of processing and deportation proceedings.

The agents said that HSI is…

“supposed to be out there making these major cases, these big cartels that are smuggling guns, drugs, money,” Alonzo Peña, a former ICE deputy director, told the Texas Observer. “And because of this whole immigration rhetoric — that immigrants are bad, that they’re criminals and rapists and all that — the focus is totally off mission.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The ICE Investigators went on to say that those within the department who work to combat drug smuggling and arms trafficking…

“have been perceived as targeting undocumented aliens, instead of the transnational criminal organizations that facilitate cross border crimes impacting our communities and national security.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

In their letter, the investigators suggests splitting ICE into two separate agencies. One that could focus on homeland security, while the other agency could focus on deportation. They said that the division would allow them to…

“improve transparency, efficiency and effectiveness.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

As to what the Administration will do, it is uncertain, but President Trump has said that he would not abolish the agency. However, the President has also proven to be a leader who likes to streamline the effectiveness, and efficiency of government. Therefore, the letter could serve as an opening to do just that. However, what it won’t do, is end the agency in its entirety.

Sadly, no matter what the President does or says, Democrats, including New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, New York Congressional Candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have called to abolish ICE over what they call the radical agenda of ICE separating families. Ironically, despite the Progressive’s, Socialists, Communists, and Democrats attacks on ICE, it turns out that it isn’t even the ICE Agency, whom is separating families. It is actually the responsiblity of the Border Patrol. ICE is responsible for the re-unification and deportation of illegals. Also, ICE helps place un-accompanied minors into the care of others, as we have previously reported.

Despite the truth, left-wing Socialist Democrats like New York candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, continue to make outlandish and blatantly false statements. For example, Ocasio-Cortez said on NPR’s “Morning Edition that she wanted to abolish ICE, because

“What we’re really talking about is re-imagining immigration to be humane. It wasn’t until about 1999 that we chose to criminalize immigration at all, and then once ICE was established we really kind of militarized that enforcement to a degree that was previously unseen in the United States.” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (NY-D) Congressional Candidate

However, once again the Democrats use false information and fake facts to push their agenda. In actuality, the United States criminalized unlawful entry in 1929, but even before 1929, illegal immigration was against the law, but not subject to criminal penalties. Then, in the 1990’s, Congress only increased the criminal penalties, due to the drug trafficking, and illegal immigration becoming a growing problem for the American worker, and the safety of the American people. In fact, President Bill Clinton signed two bills into law in 1996 that called the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) and the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA). Those new laws intensified penalties for immigration-related crimes and increased the number of criminal convictions that could trigger deportations or make aliens ineligible for asylum or other relief. Therefore, it helped to make America safer, and allowed for illegals who commit crimes to be deported, and ineligible for asylum.

Also, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fails to acknowledge that while unauthorized entry carries criminal charges, remaining in the country illegally is not a criminal offense.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what ICE does, how many illegals cross our borders, or how many Americans suffer do to the policies of Progressive’s Socialists. Ultimately, there will continue to be those on the left who demonize President Trump, his Administration, the Police, or any other organization that helps keep ‘law and order’. Also, ICE’s fate is uncertain. However, one thing is known. President Trump will never do anything that risks the sovereignty of our nation, or endangers the lives or liberties of the American people.